Real Betis vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
All might not be rosy in the garden of Atletico Madrid, but Diego Simeone’s side resume club combat after the international break unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions.
The 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon achieved by a stoppage-time Antoine Griezmann goal at least put a spring in Atletico’s steps, but the concerns raised by the club’s fans over Simeone’s style of play became apparent during what was a below-par display.
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In Real Betis, they’ll face determined and sturdy opponents but also a side that has lost its last three home games in La Liga against Deportivo, Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao.
Logic dictates they’ll struggle against Atletico, then, but Simeone won’t be taking anything for granted despite his side being unbeaten in seven against Betis in the league, winning five.
Date: Sunday, November 22
Time: 7.30 p.m. GMT/2.30 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville
TV Info: Sky Sports 1
Live Stream: Sky Sports
Last 6 Results
Real Betis
Won 2-1 vs. Sporting Gijon (Away)
Won 2-0 vs. Rayo Vallecano (Away)
Lost 3-1 vs. Espanyol (Home)
Drew 1-1 vs. Granada (Away)
Lost 3-1 vs. Athletic Bilbao (Home)
Won 1-0 vs. Malaga (Away)
Atletico Madrid
Won 2-0 vs. Real Sociedad (Away)
Won 4-0 vs. Astana (Home)
Won 2-1 vs. Valencia (Home)
Drew 1-1 vs. Deportivo (Away)
Drew 0-0 vs. Astana (Away)
Won 1-0 vs. Sporting Gijon (Home)
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Betis
Betis have been in much better form on the road than at home this season, with the 1-0 win at Malaga just before the international break achieved thanks to a Ruben Castro strike just after the hour mark.
Amro Tarek, Vincenzo Ranella, Javier Matilla and Alfred N’Diaye are all expected to miss this clash, whilst Rafael van der Vaart is set for another start despite being withdrawn just after Castro’s winner at Malaga.
He should take his place in midfield alongside the similarly experienced Joaquin, whilst Xavi Torres could come in for the former Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard.
Predicted lineup: Adan, Piccini, Westermann, Gonzalez, Varela, Petros, Xavi Torres, Joaquin, Van der Vaart, Cejudo, Ruben Castro.
Atletico Madrid
As always, there are striking issues faced by Diego Simeone, who left Fernando Torres on the bench throughout the win over Sporting Gijon.
Torres could return here but is likely to again be overlooked in favour of Jackson Martinez and Antoine Griezmann, who returns to club action after his sister narrowly escaped the terror attacks in Paris last week.
Both Angel Correa and Olivier Torres will be pushing for starts after coming on against Sporting, with Stefan Savic set to continue at centre-back in place of Jose Gimenez.
Predicted lineup: Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe Luis, Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Oliver Torres, Griezmann, Martinez.
Key Players
Real Betis: Joaquin
Now back at first club Betis after nine years away at Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina, the veteran winger Joaquin, now 34 years old, has been rolling back the years with some excellent form this season, playing nine times following his return to the club and scoring in a win at Sporting Gijon.
Although never likely to recapture the displays that established him as one of the best wingers in the world in the early 2000s and gave him 51 Spain caps, Joaquin will be a tough opponent for left-back Filipe Luis here, with the majority of the home side’s attacks likely to go through him.
Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann
His most recent touch for Atletico Madrid proved to be a crucial one, and Antoine Griezmann will hope that his 93rd-minute winner against Sporting Gijon at the Vicente Calderon before the international break will really get his club’s season started.
The French international has been by far and away his side’s best player this season, and he’ll again be vital as Simeone’s men go to Betis.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Real Betis 7/2
Atletico Madrid 4/5
Draw 5/2
