Betis vs. Valencia: A Clash of Ambitions at La Cartuja

This afternoon, Real Betis and Valencia will meet at the Estadio de La Cartuja in a match that marks the return of Guido Rodríguez to Spanish football. The Argentine midfielder shone during his time at Betis and could make his debut for Valencia against his former team. This match is pivotal for both sides: Betis aims to recapture the fifth position in the standings, while Valencia seeks to move up the table to avoid potential relegation concerns.

Betis enters the match buoyed by their recent qualification for the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, yet they are grappling with the harsh reality of numerous injuries. Coach Manuel Pellegrini will not have any of the seven injured players available for selection, and additionally, he will be without Natan, a key defensive player, due to suspension. Despite these challenges, Betis boasts a deep squad and the advantage of playing at La Cartuja, which provides them with ample motivation to capitalize on Espanyol’s recent slip and reclaim fifth place in the league.

Valencia arrives at La Cartuja at a high point in their season, having secured two consecutive victories. However, with other teams in the relegation zone also accumulating points, they need to extend this winning streak to shift their focus upward in the standings, as emphasized by Rodríguez in his presentation. It is likely that both Rodríguez and Unai Núñez, the latest additions to the squad, will start on the bench, with Coach Corberán likely to retain the same lineup that triumphed over Espanyol, making changes primarily for the Copa del Rey.

In a key matchup, Abde from Betis will take on Danjuma from Valencia. The Moroccan winger has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in outstanding form, scoring in two consecutive matches—one in LaLiga against Alavés and another in the Europa League against Feyenoord. Opposing him is the Dutch midfielder Danjuma, who provided a crucial assist in Valencia’s victory over Espanyol last weekend. Both players present different styles but consistently pose threats to opposing defenses.

Historically, Betis has proven to be a solid team at La Cartuja. However, the pressures of a packed schedule, as they remain competitive in three different competitions, combined with their injury woes, significantly diminish their potential. They come into this match after a strenuous effort against Feyenoord on Thursday, with limited options for rotation and missing the dependable Natan in defense, facing a Valencia side that, despite their lackluster away performance throughout the season, is on an upward trajectory and in strong form.