Betis-Atalanta is a friendly and will be played on Friday at 17:00: news, statistics, live TV, streaming, likely line-ups, predictions
The ‘Benito Villamarin’ stadium in Seville, just a few days after the friendly match between Betis and Inter Milan – which ended 1-1 – hosts another Italian team, and always a Nerazzurri one: Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta. For Manuel Pellegrini’s men it is the sixth test since La Liga stopped to make way for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
After three defeats in a row against South Americans River Plate and Colo Colo, the green-and-whites beat Manchester United 1-0 and stopped Simone Inzaghi’s side on a draw. The aim of the experienced Argentine coach, formerly of Manchester City and Real Madrid, is to regain his composure as soon as possible ahead of the first league game, scheduled for 29 November against Athletic Bilbao. The first part of the season had not ended in the best of ways, with Betis overwhelmed 3-0 at the ‘Mestalla’ by Gattuso’s Valencia. The Sevillian side perhaps needed a rest at the end of a gruelling tour de force, in which they were also involved in the Europa League, winning their group ahead of Roma.
Betis remains one of the most surprising teams in La Liga: they are currently sixth in the standings, but with the same points as Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao and with the Champions League dream still within reach. Atalanta is also aiming for a return to Europe, despite the downturn that Zapata and his teammates have experienced since November. The Dea, in fact, lost their three matches before the break: after the defeat against Napoli came those against Lecce and Inter, which made the Nerazzurri slip to sixth position.
Gasperini and his team want to make a strong start in January, and that is why they are trying their hand at some international tests: first the defeat on penalties against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-2), then the brilliant performance against Nice, beaten with a net 3-0.
Zapata
The Prediction
You don’t pass easily in Sevilla, as Inter’s friendly a few days ago showed. Atalanta, however, are growing and could return from Andalusia with a positive result. Both should score at least one goal on each side.
Betis v Atalanta matchday squad
- BETIS (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Ruibal, Luiz Felipe, Victor Ruiz, Miranda; Guardado, Dani Perez; Luiz Henrique, Fekir, Rodri Sanchez; Borja Iglesias.
- ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Musso; Toloi, Scalvini, Palomino; Hateboer, Ederson, Malinovskyi, Soppy; Lookman, Boga; Zapata.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
