Cédric Bakambu Rejoins Betis Training Ahead of Crucial Match

Following his return yesterday, where he trained in the gym, Cédric Bakambu has rejoined his teammates on the pitch ahead of Real Betis’s match against Oviedo. This practice took place just hours before the team departs for the Carlos Tartiere, where they will complete the first half of the league season.

The inclusion of the recently returned forward in the squad list is the only uncertainty remaining for coach Manuel Pellegrini, who will announce the lineup in the coming hours. Confirmed absences include Isco Alarcón, who is recovering from ankle arthroscopy, as well as Abde and Amrabat, who are competing tonight with Morocco against Cameroon for a place in the Africa Cup semifinals being held in their country.

The rest of the squad, including Chimy Ávila, despite ongoing transfer market discussions, is available for the match. All players trained normally under the watchful eye of sporting director Manu Fajardo and former captain, advisor, and current sports director Joaquín Sánchez, who observed the training from the sidelines while managing various player movements during this January transfer window.

As Betis prepares for their clash with Oviedo, they face a busy schedule ahead, including two La Liga matches, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Europa League. Therefore, it is likely that rotation will be implemented in Pellegrini’s starting eleven. Players such as Valentín Gómez, Bellerín, and Riquelme are in contention to return to the starting lineup in pursuit of a victory that would allow them to surpass the 30-point mark in the league, as desired by the engineer.