The final round of the LaLiga season brings a clash of differing motivations to the Benito Villamarín on Saturday evening. For Real Betis, the pressure is off; having already secured Champions League qualification, Manuel Pellegrini can afford to experiment with his side. In contrast, Levante UD arrive with their top-flight status on the line, treating this fixture as a survival-defining final.
Real Betis Form & Analysis
Real Betis sit comfortably in fifth place, their main objective for the campaign already in the bag. Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of FC Barcelona served as a reminder that the team is already looking ahead, with Pellegrini rotating his squad following the confirmation of their European spot. The manager has been open about the lack of competitive urgency, noting that his starting XI will be determined late as he manages the fitness of his group.
With Sofyan Amrabat and Sergi Altimira confirmed out and Antony a doubt due to ongoing pubis issues, the hosts are expected to approach this match with a relaxed mindset. While the home fans will expect a professional performance, it is clear that Betis are playing for pride rather than points. Defensively, they have struggled to keep the back door shut recently, failing to record a clean sheet in their last three outings.
Levante UD Form & Analysis
Levante are currently in the midst of a desperate battle to avoid the drop, and their recent form suggests they are ready for the fight. They head into this final round on the back of three consecutive victories, including a crucial 2-0 home win over Mallorca last Sunday. That result, secured by goals from Carlos Espí and Kervin Arriaga, has injected a significant amount of belief into Luís Castro’s squad.
The visitors know that their season rests on this single ninety minutes. Unlike their hosts, Levante have no room for rotation or complacency. They have been playing with the intensity of a side that knows exactly what is at stake, and while their away record this term has been modest, the current momentum within the dressing room is palpable. They will be without Carlos Álvarez, but given the intensity they have shown in recent weeks, they are likely to throw everything they have at the Betis goal from the first whistle.
## Head-to-Head
The history of this fixture points towards an entertaining encounter. Goals have been a common theme, with six of the last seven meetings between these two sides seeing both teams find the back of the net. The most recent clash in September ended in a 2-2 draw, and with Levante needing to attack and Betis likely to play with less defensive discipline than usual, the trend of high-scoring games is expected to continue.
We Predict: Both Teams To Score
Given the context of the final day, the setup is perfect for goals at both ends. Real Betis are playing with the freedom of a team that has already achieved its goal, while Levante are forced to chase the win to ensure their survival. With Betis struggling for clean sheets lately and Levante riding a wave of confidence in front of goal, backing both sides to find the net 1.53374 feels the most natural play. A final scoreline of 2-1 in favour of the hosts is a distinct possibility.
