Real Betis Balompié host the Submarine in a tie which could be crucial in the battle for fifth
Villarreal CF will visit the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Sunday at 6:30pm CEST to face Real Betis in a very important match for both teams in the battle for fifth place, which this season could be rewarded with a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. A clash with a lot at stake.
In terms of the league table, the Submarine are level on 48 points with Betis despite having played a game less. Postponed due to potential heavy rain, the match against RCD Espanyol will be played on 27th April (4:15pm CEST).
Marcelino’s side go into the match on the back of a 0-0 draw at La Cerámica against Athletic Club, another opponent in the battle for Europe. Real Betis also picked up a point in their last match against FC Barcelona at the Lluís Companys. With this dynamic, both teams are obliged to win in Seville to consolidate fifth place in the case of Villarreal or to take it as the Andalusians want to do.
The fifth-placed team could go to the Champions League for the first time ever
As was the case last year, two leagues will be rewarded with an extra place in the UEFA Champions League for the performance of national teams in Europe. Last season, it was Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A. This year, England and Spain are the frontrunners for that extra place. This gives the match all the more interest given that both teams have aspirations of returning to the continent’s most coveted competition.
Also, the Submarine and Real Betis have many players who have played for both sides. In the current squads, Villarreal striker Ayoze Pérez joined the Submarine this summer from Real Betis. On the other hand, for the side from Sevilla, Fornals, Lo Celso and Bakambu are all ex-Yellows..
Real Betis are coming off the back of an impressive eight-match unbeaten run, while the Submarine are coming off a win over Getafe at the Coliseum and then a good performance against Athletic Club, despite a goalless draw at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Marcelino’s men will be looking to take the Benito Villamarín by storm and end the run of another of the big Champions League contenders.
