As things are heating up in the Spanish La Liga, we’re going to see some great matches in the ninth round set for this weekend. We would like to take a closer look at two games scheduled for Saturday, October 21st, 2017, when Levante hosts Getafe at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia, while Betis meets Alaves at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Some fresh information and tips are waiting for you in this preview, as well as our betting predictions, like always here on GetMoreSports.
LEVANTE vs. ALAVES
3-Way: 1: Levante +154; X: +229 Draw; 2: Getafe +231
Spread 0: Levante -133; Getafe +131
Total +2: Over -130; Under +125
LEVANTE
After the goalless draw with Espanyol on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, The Frogs are sitting at the 12th place of the table with 10 points, an 8:10 goal difference and a form of DLLWD in the last five games. They couldn’t find a net for the third clash in the row, but at least they managed to keep a clean sheet after conceding six times in the previous two encounters with Alaves, 2:0, and Betis, 4:0. Espanyol was a far better team, and The Frogs were extremely lucky to save the net, even though their goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was excellent with some incredible saves.
Obviously, Levante’s players have problems in the attacking third, as six out of their eight goals came after set pieces, whit only 34% of average shot accuracy. The Macedonian midfielder Enis Bardhi is a scoring leader with three goals so far, while wingers Jose Luis Morales and Ivi added two each. There is no player in the squad with at least two assists to his name, or should I say only two players made an assist in this year’s La Liga campaign. It tells us more about Levante’s attack, so they need to make some changes in the style of play if they want to score on regular basis.
The manager Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz still cannot count on his best striker Roger Marti due to a ruptured cruciate ligament. The winger Jason is suffering from a hamstring injury, and the right-back Ivan Lopez is sidelined for at least six months.
GETAFE
The Deep Blues had a heavyweight challenge in the last game against Real Madrid in front of the home fans, and they didn’t disappoint them in spite of a 2:1 defeat. They allowed only eight scoring chances to the defending champion, recording 18 interceptions, 23 clearances, and 23 fouls, winning just 35% of aerial duels. They were so close to upset Los Blancos, but in the 85th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal.
After eight rounds Getafe is at the 14th place of the Spanish La Liga table with eight points, a 10:9 goal difference and a form of LLWDL in the last five games. A defeat against Real Madrid was their second in the row. They were beaten by Deportivo La Coruna, 2:1, in the seventh round, so the next game versus Levante will be played with more weight on their shoulders. Getafe earned four points from the first four visits, and the fans will expect a positive result. At home, The Deep Blues played 4 times, and all four games were against some of the biggest names in the Spanish La Liga (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal, Sevilla).
The team manager Jose Bordalas is still without two great wingers, as Dani Pacheco and Jefferson Montero are both injured and doubtful for the next game. The midfielder Gaku Shibasaki is suffering from a foot injury, but he could be available for Saturday’s clash.
LEVANTE vs. GETAFE – Match Prediction
Both teams will try to stay undefeated to get more points in their battle against relegation from the La Liga. I expect to see a close game, where one goal could decide the winner. However, if we get a quick goal, then this could be a different game from expectations.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (+125)
BETIS vs. ALAVES
3-Way: 1: Betis -147; X: +333 Draw; 2: Alaves +560
Spread -1: Betis +104; Alaves -106
Total +2.5: Over -111; Under +106
BETIS
After the astonishing game with Real Sociedad in the seventh round of the Spanish La Liga when both teams scored four times each, Real Betis played another thriller in the previous round against Valencia, this time in front of the home fans. In the 79th minute of the game, they were down by four goals, when Joel Campbell got the first goal for the home team. Just a minute later it was 4:2 after Sanabria’s goal, and in the 84th minute Cristian Tello made it 4:3. The whole stadium was in delirium, waiting for a miracle when Simone Zaza got the fifth goal for visitors to put the end on home’s fans hopes.
Betis is playing an entertaining and attacking football, scoring 17 goals in the first eight rounds. However, their defense is not at the same level, conceding the same number of goals. They allowed 10 goals just in the previous two games! With this kind of defense, no one is satisfied at Estadio Benito Villamarin, knowing that they cannot score more goals than the rival in every game. Only three teams in the La Liga are more efficient so far, and Quique Setien’s boys are hoping to continue with great finishing job.
There are some injury problems on the left side of the defense, as Riza Durmisi (muscle injury) and Alin Tosca (hand injury) are both doubtful for the next game, as well as midfielders Javi Garcia (muscle injury) and Ryad Boudebouz (Flu).
ALAVES
Alaves recorded another defeat in the eighth round of the Spanish La Liga, losing 2:0 to Real Sociedad at home. Their fans were excited after the first victory of the season, truly believing it was a start of positive results, but their beloved club was outplayed once again. Furthermore, they’ve failed to score against one of the worst defenses in the league, even they’ve created seven goal chances and took eight shots on goal, as none of them were on target.
The new manager Giovanni De Biasi will have a tough job to boost his team’s play, with all problems to find a net. Alaves scored just three goals in eight games, with 52 chances created, and 39% of shot accuracy. They are the worst team in the Spanish La Liga when you look at one of these two categories. The fans expect more, especially from the 27-year old forward Ibai Gomez who didn’t find the net yet, while Bojan Krkic return after the injury should bring some freshness.
Defensively, De Biasi’s boys looked good on the pitch for 77 minutes against Real Sociedad, but poor marking led to the opening goal. The second goal was unlucky for Alaves, but it was a cruel punishment. They’ve conceded 12 goals so far, which is quite encouraging, as there are more fragile teams in the La Liga.
The Italian tactician can count on all players for the next game, besides the centre-back Victor Laguardia, who’s sidelined for at least two months due to a knee injury. The left-back Hector Hernandez, who’s playing on loan from Real Sociedad, is doubtful with a malleolar injury.
BETIS vs. ALAVES – Match Prediction
It should be another chance for Alaves to score a goal, as Betis conceded five goals more so far. However, The Big Greens are so dangerous in the front, so I expect to see them trying to win this one in front of the home fans. They are favorites for reason, and if visitors manage to score, it could be the signal for more goals. Alaves’ manager prefers patient approach, but I’ll go with the over.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-111)
