Valencia CF face stern Real Betis test as 1.72 goals bet attracts attention

Real Betis will look to make it two wins in three days when they visit Valencia CF at Mestalla on Tuesday, with both teams expected to score in a match where the 1-2 correct-score result is priced at 9.5.

The fixture, scheduled for 25 August 2026 at 19:00 GMT, brings the first round of the 2025-26 Liga campaign to a conclusion in midweek. It is one of four matches being completed across two stages, with one of the teams involved having already played its second-round fixture at the weekend.

Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of European Champions League coverage on Nostalgie radio, has assessed the contest and believes the current momentum is with Real Betis. Victory for the visitors is available at odds of 2.72, while the selection for both teams to score is priced at 1.72.

Valencia CF will be playing at home for the second time in three days after opening their league campaign with a goalless draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday evening.

That result may be viewed as a disappointing start, but one point could prove valuable for a side that has become accustomed to finishing in the middle section of the table. They will now need to build on it against Real Betis, although the evidence in their favour is limited.

Valencia have been relatively quiet in the transfer market and have not made a clear qualitative improvement to their squad. Their main additions include a Malian midfielder from Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Japanese forward Ryonosuke Sato, who scored twice during pre-season and joined from FC Tokyo for four million euros.

The club have recorded one major sale, with Turkish defender Cenk Ozkacar returning to his home country to sign for Trabzonspor. Valencia have also seen several players depart as free agents, including Baptiste Santamaria, Eray Comert and Thierry Correia.

Carlos Corberan’s side have failed to score in their past two matches and have not scored more than once in any of their last four outings. Their pre-season record was mixed, with four defeats, one draw and three victories. Guinea defender Mouctar Diakhaby and his team-mates therefore enter this match without the sort of form that would inspire confidence.

Betis arrive with momentum

Real Betis, by contrast, travel to Mestalla in a more positive mood. Manuel Pellegrini’s side began their league campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Real Sociedad on Friday, a result made more significant by the fact that their opponents are also competing for European qualification.

The victory was the latest indication that Betis are continuing the progress of last season, which earned them qualification for the Champions League. Their transfer window has been more active than Valencia’s, although they have lost Sergi Altimira, Nobel Mendy and Mateo Flores.

Those departures have been offset by the arrivals of Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott, Uruguay defensive midfielder Facundo Bernal and defender Fran Garcia from Real Madrid.

Betis also enjoyed a productive pre-season, winning five of their eight matches, drawing one and losing two. They averaged more than one goal per game, with Pablo Garcia, Nelson Deossa, Rodrigo Riquelme, Pablo Fornals and the experienced Isco among the players expected to contribute.

The recent head-to-head record between Valencia and Real Betis is closely balanced. Across the past 35 meetings in all competitions, Valencia have won 14 times, compared with 12 victories for Betis, while nine matches have ended level.

Last season, the teams drew 1-1 at Mestalla before Real Betis won the return fixture 2-1. Their meetings have generally produced goals: none of the past 18 matches between the sides has finished 0-0.

Pablo Fornals could again be central to Betis’ attacking plans. Entering his third season with the club, the Spain international recorded nine goals and five assists in 2025-26 despite operating from midfield. He ended pre-season strongly, scoring three goals and supplying two assists in three appearances.

Fornals was influential without scoring or assisting directly in the win over Real Sociedad. His task against Valencia will once again be to direct Betis’ play, improve the circulation of possession and help the visitors chase a second successive victory within three days.

The recommendation is for both teams to score at 1.72, while Valencia are not expected to score more than once. A 2-1 win for Real Betis is listed at 9.5.

Valencia CF v Real Betis takes place at Mestalla on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, at 19:00 GMT.

Odds may change.