Villarreal CF will face Real Betis this Sunday at the Estadio de la Cerámica (9pm CET)
A great game. Villarreal will host Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerámica (9pm CET), in a crucial match for two teams who are dreaming of ending the season in the European spots. Unai Emery’s side go into the game with the hope of returning to winning ways, after three draws in a row in the last three league matches against Granada CF (2-2), Real Sociedad (1-1) and Elche CF (2-2). Real Betis lost their last league match 3-2 to FC Barcelona.
The first meeting in LaLiga between the two teams this season ended in a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The goals were from Pau Torres, who put the Submarine ahead early on, and from Aitor Ruibal, who equalised for the home side.
In the top flight of Spanish football, Villarreal CF and Real Betis have met a total of 16 times in Vila-real, with the Submarine winning eight times. There have also been four draws and four wins for the Andalusians. The Yellows have won four of Betis’ last five visits to the Estadio de la Cerámica. The most recent one, last season, ended in a 5-1 triump for the home team, with goals from Karl Toko Ekambi (2), Santi Cazorla, Gerard Moreno and Samu Chukwueze. Emerson scored for Real Betis.
A special return
Manuel Pellegrini will return to the Estadio de la Cerámica. The current Real Betis head coach, is the manager who has taken charge of most Villarreal CF games in the elite, totalling 259 matches between 2004/05 and 2008/09.