Real Betis is preparing to look for the three points it needs to surpass Barcelona after the 2-5 defeat at the Camp Nou. The match will take place on Saturday, October 18 at the Estadio de La Cartuja, where the Verdiblancos have already won their first four home games of the season and now face Málaga CF, which is in last position in the table and has yet to achieve a victory in the league.
Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, who coached Betis last season, recognizes the affection he feels for the institution and the area, but makes it clear that the main objective is to add the three points. “Tomorrow we need to get the three points,” he stated. For his part, Juanfran Funes, Málaga coach, highlights the breadth and talent of the Betic team, pointing out that players like Isco and Fornals can make the difference. Funes also asks his players to compete “without complexes” against a rival who costs them victory.
The record favors Betis. In the 13 league games played at their stadium against Málaga, the Verdiblancos have obtained five wins, five draws and only three wins as visitors. The Malaga native's last victory in Seville was in the 2015-16 season, and his last victory at Betis was in April 2018, when they came back 2-1 with goals from Durmisi and Fabián. On matchday 11, Betis was also dominant at home, with a 2‑0 lead before losing the score in favor of Barça.
As for the lineups, Betis has Álvaro Valles in goal, while the defense is made up of Bellerín, Diego Llorente, Natan and Fran García. In midfield, Marc Roca and Fornals join Antony, Isco and Abde, and the forward line is made up of Troy Parrott. Málaga, for its part, will have Alfonso Herrero as goalkeeper and a defense led by Puga, Galilea, Ángel Recio and Rafita. In the center of the field, Larrubia, Dotor, Ramón, Dani Lorenzo, Adam Aznou and Adrián Niño will form the core of the squad.
Betis must deal with the absence of Cucho Hernández due to a soleus injury, while Junior Firpo is not at 100% and Facundo Bernal is suspended. At Málaga, Joaquín Muñoz, Pablo Martínez and Juan Cruz are among the doubts, and Ángel Recio missed the last training session due to a viral process, although the coach did not rule out his participation. The referee will be Mateo Busquets Ferrer, with Javier Iglesias as VAR operator. The match will be broadcast on DAZN starting at 6:30 p.m.