Sports Mole previews Thursday’s La Liga clash between Real Betis and Girona, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Real Betis will get their 2024-25 campaign underway when they welcome Girona to the Benito Villamarin for Thursday’s La Liga contest.
Los Verdiblancos will want to better last term’s seventh-place finish, while Girona will have the difficult challenge of replicating last season’s top-four finish.
Match preview
After enjoying three seasons of top-six finishes, Betis were unable to repeat the feat in the 2023-24 campaign, falling just short of sixth-placed Real Sociedad.
Although they had to settle for seventh spot, Los Verdiblancos secured Europa Conference League qualification, ensuring they will participate in European competition for a fourth consecutive season.
Betis have seen several players depart since the end of last season, including Chadi Riad, German Pezzella, Juan Miranda, Guido Rodriguez, Willian Jose and Borja Iglesias.
They have also bid farewell to Euro 2024 winner Ayoze Perez, who completed a permanent move to fellow La Liga club Villarreal on Tuesday.
While they have experienced significant departures, Betis have made a number of permanent additions, recruiting Marc Roca, Diego Llorente, Romain Perraud, Ricardo Rodriguez, Adrian and Iker Losada.
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side will head into their league opener after an inconsistent pre-season which has seen them record two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Girona were the surprise package in the 2023-24 campaign, threatening to mount a title challenge before weathering a small drop-off to clinch a historic third-place finish.
Real Betis pre-season form:
Girona pre-season form:
Team News
Isco was Betis’ standout player in the 2023-24 campaign, but the experienced playmaker will sit out the first match of the new season as he continues to work his way back from a leg injury.
The former Real Madrid man is joined on the sidelines by defender Nobel Mendy and forward Cedric Bakambu, who are both ruled out with muscle injuries.
Llorente and Perraud could feature in the starting lineup, while their fellow new arrivals Adrian, Rodriguez and Losada may have to settle for spots on the bench.
Meanwhile, Girona will have to assess Viktor Tsygankov after the winger was forced to sit out Tuesday’s training session due to illness.
Miguel Gutierrez and Ruiz are both available for selection, having returned to training following their involvement in Spain’s successful Olympic campaign.
Van de Beek and Gil are in contention to make their Girona bows, while Romeu could be presented with the chance to make his second debut.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Sabaly, Llorente, Bartra, Perraud; Cardoso, Roca; Ruibal, Fekir, Fornals; Avila
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Martinez, Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Herrera, Romeu; Martin, Van de Beek, Gil; Portu
We say: Real Betis X-Y Girona
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