- Betis' form reads 6-1-2 in LaLiga 2026/2027. Malaga are yet to win a match in LaLiga 2026/2027 after 5 draws and 5 defeats in 10 games. Juan Hernandez has scored twice in seven appearances for Betis in this competition, while Isco has four goals in his last five for Verdiblancos. Adrian Nino is Malaguistas' top goal scorer in 2026/2027 with one goal in three games, but has three in his last five.
Betis are superior, but Malaga will make it interesting
There is a marked difference in style and quality between these two teams who will not be playing at their usual grounds for this Saturday's meeting at Estadio de La Cartuja, Spain.
Manuel Pellegrini has been in charge of Real Betis since August 2020, so he has had time to mould an settled team that plays in a similar way, no matter who starts the match. This side are patient ball possessors with an excellent No 10 to get things going, a measured pressing game that can be switched to a suffocating one if necessary.
Betis sit fourth in the LaLiga 2026/2027 table with 19 points from nine games, while Malaga are stuck at the bottom with just five points from ten games. The Verdiblancos' last two results - a 2-5 loss to Barcelona and a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Feyenoord - show that they have the bounce back factor to recover from poor results.
Juan Hernandez is Betis' main LaLiga 2026/2027 goal threat, but Isco has been the spark in Betis' recent 5-match run, scoring 4 of their 11 goals.
Malaga can be dangerous on the counter
Juan Funes has had less time to impose his style on Malaga CF as he has been in the saddle since November 2025, but the style of football his teams play is generally a bit more brisk and vertical.
Malaga will get the ball forward quicker and will try to be patient enough to get bodies behind the ball when they lose it, but will also look to spring fast counters into the channels.
Malaguistas are yet to register a win in the top-flight this season, but there is hope for their fans in this fixture given that their last meeting was won 3-1 by Malaga in the Friendly Club Matches 2026. Betis will not take this game lightly for that reason and also because Malaga's record of 19 goals conceded in 10 matches in 2026/2027 is worryingly high at 1.9 per game.
Betis are a bit short in the betting
The odds accurately reflect the form of the two teams, with Betis listed at 1.38 and Malaga at 7.2 and the draw at 4.8. Our selection of Betis to win and both teams to score looks a good angle to boost the odds of a Betis win, while over 2.5 goals also appeals.
Betis score and concede an average of 1.78 and 1.56 goals per match respectively in 2026/2027, so they can be opened up at the back on occasion despite their quality.
