Real Betis vs Levante Prediction, Match Preview, Saturday, May 23rd
Real Betis will face Levante in a highly anticipated LaLiga clash on Saturday, May 23rd. The match will take place at the Estadio de La Cartuja, providing a neutral ground for both teams. This encounter is crucial for both sides as they aim to secure vital points in the league standings.
Real Betis, known for their attacking prowess, will look to capitalise on their home advantage, even though the venue is not their regular stadium. Meanwhile, Levante will be eager to upset the hosts and climb the LaLiga table. With both teams having much to play for, this match promises to be an intriguing battle in the Spanish top flight.
Real Betis vs Levante Prediction & Betting tip
| Betting Tip | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Betis to Win | 2.24 |
Given the current form and historical precedent, our recommended betting tip is a win for Real Betis. Betis have shown consistent home form and have a strong recent head-to-head record against Levante, who are dealing with key absences and defensive struggles.
- Real Betis have scored in 89% of their home matches this season, showcasing their attacking prowess at Estadio La Cartuja.
- Levante have conceded the most goals in the final 15 minutes of matches, a period where Betis have been particularly strong offensively.
- Previous encounters at home have favoured Betis, including a 3-1 win in their last meeting, indicating a historical edge.
Betting Odds
Real Betis are stepping onto the pitch as the favourites with odds of 2.24, but don’t count Levante out just yet. With odds of 3.27, Levante could offer some intriguing value for those backing an upset, especially given their knack for surprising results on the road.
| Betting Prediction | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Betis to win | 2.24 |
| Draw | 3.26 |
| Levante to win | 3.27 |
The draw is priced at 3.26, suggesting that the bookmakers anticipate a closely fought contest. For those looking at alternative markets, the over 2.5 goals and both teams to score options could be worth a flutter, given the attacking potential of both squads.
Real Betis Analysis & Past Performance
Real Betis have had a mixed run of form recently, securing two wins, two draws, and a single loss in their last five outings. Notable performances include a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo and a narrow triumph against Elche (2-1). However, their recent 3-1 defeat to Barcelona highlights some defensive frailties that need addressing.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | Real Betis | 3 – 1 (Loss) | LaLiga | 17 May 2026 |
| Real Betis | Elche | 2 – 1 (Win) | LaLiga | 12 May 2026 |
| Real Sociedad | Real Betis | 2 – 2 (Draw) | LaLiga | 9 May 2026 |
| Real Betis | Real Oviedo | 3 – 0 (Win) | LaLiga | 3 May 2026 |
| Real Betis | Real Madrid | 1 – 1 (Draw) | LaLiga | 24 April 2026 |
Recent Form:
Real Betis have averaged 1.80 goals per match in their last five games, demonstrating a consistent attacking threat. However, their defence has shown vulnerability, conceding an average of 1.40 goals per game and keeping only one clean sheet. The team has managed to score in all recent fixtures, but their ability to maintain defensive solidity remains in question.
Home Performance:
- LWDWD
At home, Real Betis have been more resilient, remaining unbeaten with two wins and three draws in their last five matches. Their home ground form shows a win ratio of 40%, indicative of a stronghold at Estadio de La Cartuja. Their ability to capitalise on home advantage will be crucial in maintaining their 5th place standing in LaLiga.
Real Betis Suspensions & Injuries
Real Betis face a few injury concerns that could influence their tactical approach against Levante. Notably, Marc Bartra’s absence due to a foot injury, which rules him out for the season, weakens their central defence. This could pressure Natan and Valentín Gómez to step up their game, as they are expected to anchor the backline. The absence of Ángel Ortiz and Sergi Altimira, both sidelined with muscle-related injuries until early June, further limits midfield options. This might prompt Manuel Pellegrini to rely heavily on Sofyan Amrabat and Álvaro Fidalgo to maintain midfield stability.
Aitor Ruibal García’s knee injury, with an expected return in early August, is another blow to the squad’s depth, particularly in wide areas where his versatility is often utilised. The injuries force Betis to depend on the available starting lineup, with players like Giovani Lo Celso taking on a more significant role in creating offensive opportunities. The team’s tactical flexibility might be tested, as Pellegrini may need to adjust his strategies to compensate for these key absences.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Ismael Barea | cruciate ligament injury | Unknown |
| Ángel Ortiz | muscle injury | Early June 2026 |
| Marc Bartra | foot injury | Out for the season |
| Aitor Ruibal García | knee injury | Early August 2026 |
| Sergi Altimira | calf injury | Early June 2026 |
The lack of suspensions provides some relief, allowing Pellegrini to field his strongest available lineup without further disruptions. However, the impact of these injuries on Real Betis’ depth could influence the match’s outcome and potentially affect betting markets, as the team may struggle to maintain their usual defensive solidity and midfield control.
Real Betis Key Players
Real Betis will heavily rely on their top scorer, Juan Hernández, who has impressively netted 11 goals this season. His clinical finishing and ability to find space in the opposition’s penalty area make him a constant threat. Hernández’s role as a forward allows him to exploit defensive weaknesses, and his link-up play with Giovani Lo Celso, who is expected to spearhead the attack, could be pivotal in breaking down Levante’s defence.
In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat and Álvaro Fidalgo will be instrumental in dictating play and maintaining possession. Amrabat’s defensive acumen and Fidalgo’s creative vision provide a balanced midfield dynamic, crucial for both defensive stability and offensive transitions. Héctor Bellerín and Junior Firpo, operating from the flanks, offer width and pace, which can stretch the opposition and create crossing opportunities for Hernández.
Expected lineup for Real Betis:
- Goalkeeper: Álvaro Valles
- Defence: Natan, Valentín Gómez, Héctor Bellerín, Junior Firpo
- Midfield: Sofyan Amrabat, Antony, Nelson Deossa, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Álvaro Fidalgo
- Forward: Giovani Lo Celso
Real Betis Tactics and Formation
Real Betis Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-1-4-1
- Key Forward: Giovani Lo Celso
- Midfield Pivot: Sofyan Amrabat
- Defensive Strength: Conceded in four of the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Emphasis on ball retention and midfield dynamism.
Real Betis have adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation under Manuel Pellegrini, which emphasises control in midfield and flexibility in transitions. Sofyan Amrabat plays a crucial role as the holding midfielder, providing balance and shielding the defence while allowing creative players like Álvaro Fidalgo and Nelson Deossa to dictate the tempo.
Defensively, Real Betis have struggled to maintain clean sheets, conceding in four of their last five matches. The backline, featuring Héctor Bellerín and Junior Firpo as full-backs, aims to provide width and support in attacking phases but can be vulnerable to quick counterattacks.
Offensively, Giovani Lo Celso is pivotal as the lone forward, tasked with finishing and linking play with the midfield. The team’s strategy often involves ball retention and leveraging the pace of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli on the flanks to create scoring opportunities.
Levante Analysis & Past Performance
Levante enter this match on the back of a mixed but promising run of form. In their last five LaLiga outings, Levante have secured three victories, one draw, and suffered a single defeat. Notably, they claimed a 2-0 win against Mallorca, demonstrating their ability to secure results under pressure.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levante | Mallorca | 2 – 0 (Win) | LaLiga | May 17, 2026 |
| Celta Vigo | Levante | 2 – 3 (Win) | LaLiga | May 12, 2026 |
| Levante | Osasuna | 3 – 2 (Win) | LaLiga | May 8, 2026 |
| Villarreal | Levante | 5 – 1 (Loss) | LaLiga | May 2, 2026 |
| Espanyol | Levante | 0 – 0 (Draw) | LaLiga | Apr 27, 2026 |
Recent Form:
Levante’s attacking prowess has been evident, with an average of 1.80 goals scored per game over their last five fixtures, and they have found the net in four of these matches. However, their defence remains a concern, conceding an average of 1.80 goals per game, which suggests vulnerabilities at the back. Clean sheets have been scarce, with only two in their recent five games. Away from home, Levante’s form has been less convincing, winning just once in their last five away matches, reflecting a win ratio of 20%.
Despite these challenges, Levante’s ability to score consistently, led by top scorer Carlos Espi with 10 goals this season, has been a key factor in their mid-bottom league standing. Their tactical emphasis on attacking football could prove crucial in their upcoming encounter, though tightening up defensively will be essential to improve their standing of 15th with 42 points.
- WWWLD
Levante Suspensions & Injuries
Levante head into the clash against Real Betis with a few notable absentees that could influence their tactical setup. The suspension of Roger Brugué due to a red card leaves a gap in their attacking options, potentially affecting their ability to press high and create chances. Coach Luis Castro may look to shuffle his formation slightly to accommodate this absence, relying more on the forward duo of Jon Olasagasti and Carlos Espi.
| Player | Suspension | Matches Remaining | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Brugué | red card | 1 | Unknown |
The injury list is a concern for Levante, particularly in defence and midfield. Alejandro Primo’s shoulder injury and Carlos Álvarez’s season-ending thigh injury are significant blows. Unai Elgezabal and Jeremy Toljan, both nursing muscle injuries, are expected back by early June, which offers some hope for defensive stability in the near future. Víctor García’s virus-related absence is short-term, but it still disrupts the squad’s depth.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Alejandro Primo | shoulder injury | Late July 2026 |
| Carlos Álvarez | thigh injury | Out for season |
| Unai Elgezabal | muscle injury | Early June 2026 |
| Jeremy Toljan | muscle injury | Early June 2026 |
| Víctor García | virus | About a week |
With these injuries, the responsibility will likely fall on the shoulders of players like Manuel Sánchez and Matías Moreno to fill the gaps in defence. The midfield will rely heavily on Iker Losada and Pablo Martínez to maintain control and supply the forwards. These absences might make Levante cautious, potentially leading to a more defensive approach to counter Betis’ attacking threats.
Levante Key Players
Levante’s attacking prowess is spearheaded by their top scorer, Carlos Espi, who has netted 10 goals this season. Espi’s ability to find space and finish clinically makes him a constant threat to the opposition. His partnership with Jon Olasagasti in attack is vital, as Olasagasti’s pace and movement can stretch defences, creating opportunities for Espi to capitalise on.
In midfield, Pablo Martínez and Kervin Arriaga are pivotal. Martínez’s vision and passing range allow Levante to transition quickly from defence to attack, while Arriaga’s physical presence and ball-winning skills provide defensive solidity. Together, they form a balanced midfield that can control the tempo of the game.
Expected lineup for Levante:
- Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan
- Defence: Manuel Sánchez, Nacho Pérez, Matías Moreno, Adrián De La Fuente
- Midfield: Iker Losada, Pablo Martínez, Kervin Arriaga, Iván Romero
- Forward: Jon Olasagasti, Carlos Espi
Defensively, Mathew Ryan in goal and the backline led by Manuel Sánchez and Matías Moreno are crucial for maintaining defensive stability. Ryan’s shot-stopping ability and organisational skills can thwart Real Betis’ attacking threats, while Sánchez and Moreno’s defensive acumen will be key in handling the opposition’s forwards.
Levante Tactics and Formation
Levante Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Key Forward: Carlos Espi
- Midfield Engine: Pablo Martínez and Kervin Arriaga
- Defensive Solidity: Achieved two clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Compact defence and direct play in transitions.
Levante’s consistent use of the 4-4-2 formation under Luis Castro aims to provide balance between defence and attack. The midfield, led by Pablo Martínez and Kervin Arriaga, plays a pivotal role in transitioning from defence to offence. Iván Romero and Iker Losada offer width and support to the forward line, ensuring quick distribution and attacking support.
Defensively, Levante have shown resilience, with Mathew Ryan in goal and a backline featuring Manuel Sánchez, Nacho Pérez, Matías Moreno, and Adrián De La Fuente. The absence of Jeremy Toljan due to injury necessitates Nacho Pérez’s inclusion, which might alter their defensive dynamics but maintains the team’s overall compactness.
Offensively, Levante rely heavily on Carlos Espi, their top scorer, to lead the attack alongside Jon Olasagasti. Their strategy focuses on direct plays and exploiting spaces left by opponents, especially effective in matches where possession is less dominant, as evidenced by their recent victory over Mallorca despite lower possession stats.
Real Betis vs Levante H2H Record
Real Betis and Levante have faced off 29 times, with Betis leading the head-to-head record with 14 wins to Levante’s 10, and 5 matches ending in a draw. The last encounter saw a thrilling 2-2 draw at Levante’s ground in LaLiga.
The last time Real Betis hosted Levante, they secured a solid 3-1 victory in November 2021. Betis have been strong at home, winning the last two home fixtures against Levante. This suggests a favourable trend for Betis when playing in front of their home crowd.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | League | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levante | Real Betis | 2 – 2 | LaLiga | 2025-09-14 |
| Levante | Real Betis | 2 – 4 | LaLiga | 2022-02-13 |
| Real Betis | Levante | 3 – 1 | LaLiga | 2021-11-28 |
| Real Betis | Levante | 2 – 0 | LaLiga | 2021-03-19 |
| Levante | Real Betis | 4 – 3 | LaLiga | 2020-12-29 |
