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Real Betis will have the chance to secure European qualification when they travel to Gran Canaria for Thursday's La Liga clash with Las Palmas. Having collected 55 points from 35 matches, the Andalusian side currently resides in sixth spot, while the hosts are down in 14th place with 37 points to their name.
Match Preview
After collecting 35 points from 24 matches, Las Palmas were sitting in eighth place and looking well set to achieve a top-half finish in their first La Liga campaign since 2017-18. However, they have since experienced a significant drop-off, losing nine of their last 11 games (D2) since claiming their most recent victory over Valencia on February 10. In fact, Garcia Pimienta’s side has lost each of their previous eight matches, continuing their poor run of form with a narrow 1-0 defeat in Saturday's away meeting with Mallorca.
The Las Palmas boss will be concerned by the fact that his side has failed to score in seven of those eight matches, with their only goal in that run taking place in last month's 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo. Despite experiencing a woeful run of results, the 14th-placed side still boasts a sizeable eight-point cushion to the relegation zone with just three matches left to play against Real Betis, Cadiz, and Alaves. Although they are on the verge of safety, Las Palmas will still be hoping to halt their poor spell of form by beating Betis for the first time since December 2017.
In contrast to their hosts, Betis will head into Thursday's contest in a confident mood after bouncing back from four consecutive defeats to put together a five-game unbeaten run (W4, D1). Pablo Fornals, Isco, and Ayoze Perez all got on the scoresheet to fire Betis to a 3-2 win in Sunday's home clash with basement side Almeria, moving Manuel Pellegrini's side into sixth place with three fixtures left to play against Las Palmas, Real Sociedad, and Real Madrid.
Betis' Quest for European Glory
Los Verdiblancos have established an eight-point gap over Valencia and Villarreal in eighth and ninth place respectively, and they will guarantee European football if they claim all three points on Thursday. While European qualification may be a formality, Betis are sitting just one point ahead of Real Sociedad in the battle to secure a top-six finish and a spot in next season's Europa League.
After winning their last two away games against Valencia and Osasuna, Betis are hoping to record three consecutive away league victories for the first time since January/February 2023. The first goal will be crucial to the visitors' hopes of claiming a positive result as Los Verdiblancos have lost all four of their La Liga away games where they have conceded first this season.
Key Players to Watch
Las Palmas:
Despite their struggles, Las Palmas have some key players who can turn the game around. Jonathan Viera, their creative midfielder, remains their most significant threat. His vision and ability to unlock defenses will be crucial if Las Palmas are to break their goal drought. Up front, the experienced striker Sandro Ramirez needs to find his scoring boots to end the season on a high note.
Real Betis:
For Betis, the spotlight will be on their attacking trio. Isco’s resurgence has been a story to watch, as the former Real Madrid star looks to prove he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level. Ayoze Perez and Pablo Fornals have also been in fine form, and their ability to link up play and score goals will be vital for Betis’ push for a top-six finish. In defense, the leadership of Marc Bartra will be crucial in keeping Las Palmas at bay.
Tactical Battle
Las Palmas will likely set up in a defensive 4-4-2 formation, looking to absorb pressure and hit Betis on the counter. Their recent defensive frailties mean they will be wary of committing too many players forward, relying instead on the creativity of Viera and the pace of their forwards to catch Betis off guard.
Betis, on the other hand, are expected to dominate possession with their 4-2-3-1 setup. Manuel Pellegrini will encourage his full-backs to push forward, providing width and creating overloads in wide areas. Isco will be given a free role to drift between the lines and create chances for the forwards. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with Betis looking to control the game through their passing and movement.
Match Prediction
Given the contrasting forms of the two sides, Betis come into this match as favorites. Their recent unbeaten run and the incentive of securing European football should provide them with enough motivation to claim victory. However, Las Palmas, playing at home and desperate to end their poor run, will not be pushovers. They will look to frustrate Betis and capitalize on any defensive lapses.
Prediction: Las Palmas 0-2 Real Betis
Betis' quality and motivation should see them through this match, but they will need to remain focused and disciplined to avoid any slip-ups against a Las Palmas side fighting for pride.
Final Thoughts
This clash presents a fascinating contest between two teams with very different objectives for the remainder of the season. While Las Palmas seek to restore some pride and finish the season strongly, Real Betis have their sights firmly set on European qualification. Football fans can expect an intriguing battle at Gran Canaria, with plenty at stake for both sides.
