Atl. Madrid vs Betis Prediction & Tips
Having been fighting for the EA Sports LaLiga (LL) title for most of the season, Atlético de Madrid are now in danger of ceding third place. After a dismal 2-0 defeat to Osasuna at El Sadar on Thursday, Atletico coach Diego Pablo Simeone was self-critical and admitted that he is not finding a way to motivate his players to perform better away from home. With two games to go, Atleti are only two points clear of fourth-placed Atleti.
With a disappointing away record, Atletico Madrid have three points fewer than at this stage of the previous two seasons. One of their away defeats came against Real Betis in the first round (BET 1-0 ATM), but Atleti’s confidence should be much higher at the Metropolitano, where in LL they have lost only to FC Barcelona (43/54 points – G13, E4, P1). Los Colchoneros’ last defeat at home to Betis dates back to December 2011 (G11, E1 since then).
The Metropolitano is a cursed venue for Betis – they have scored just one goal in their last eight visits to the red-and-white stadium – but the good run of form in the final stretch of the season means that they can go into Sunday’s clash with full confidence in their chances. Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who earned a point at Vallecas despite trailing 2-0 at half-time on Thursday (Rayo Vallecano 2-2 BET), have now gone eight official matches without defeat (G4, E4) in all competitions, the three most recent of which have all ended in draws.
