Villarreal v Real Betis: visitors backed to extend unbeaten run at La Ceramica

Real Betis will look to build on a remarkable run when they visit Villarreal CF in the final match of matchweek five in La Liga 2026-27 on Monday, 14 September 2026 at 19:00 GMT.

Nasser Eddy, consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on radio Nostalgie, expects the in-form visitors to take advantage of Villarreal’s difficult start to the campaign.

Contrasting form

Villarreal have failed to win any of their five matches in all competitions this season and have lost three, including two in La Liga and a 3-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League this week. That sequence has placed pressure on new manager Inigo Perez, appointed during the summer, after the club finished third last season.

The Yellow Submarine have conceded in every match, averaging more than two goals against per game. They have also allowed the opposition to score first in four of their five fixtures.

There are, however, attacking positives. Villarreal average more than seven corners per match and have scored at least twice in four of their five games. Georges Mikautadze and his team-mates therefore remain capable of producing a strong response.

Real Betis arrive in much better shape after beating Real Madrid in La Liga on Friday, 4 September, before following that with a 3-2 Champions League victory away to Lille OSC. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won four of their five matches in all competitions, with their 5-2 defeat at Levante two weeks ago looking more like an isolated setback.

The Verdiblancos have won three of those four matches by a 1-0 scoreline. Isco and his colleagues have also attempted at least 15 shots in four of their last five games. Rodrigo Riquelme has contributed two goals and one assist, while Marc Bartra has scored three goals and Troy Parrott two.

Head-to-head and player to watch

The last five meetings have been evenly split, with two wins for each side and one draw. Real Betis have not lost at La Ceramica in their past four visits, winning twice during that run. None of the last 20 meetings has ended 0-0, while last season’s two games produced an average of three goals per match.

Nicolas Pepe is expected to return to Inigo Perez’s starting XI after being left out of the team that lost at Dortmund, despite scoring against Deportivo La Coruna three days earlier. With Ivory Coast manager Herve Renard due to announce his squad in two days for the FIFA window from late September to early October, Pepe could use the match to make an impression while his international future remains uncertain.

Odds and match details

The recommended 1xBet selections are Real Betis to win at 3.91, an exact 0-1 score at 13, Real Betis to have more shots on target at 2.4, and between nine and 11 total corners at 2.6. Marc Bartra to score is priced at 10.

Villarreal CF v Real Betis will be shown live on Canal+Sports Afrique and SuperSport Liga from 19:00 GMT. Odds may change.