Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis preview - Mel ready for "vital" month

Posted Saturday, March 17, 2012 by PA

Real Betis coach Pepe Mel believes this week will prove crucial in deciding the fate of his side as they battle to stay in the Primera Division.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis preview - Mel ready for

Betis currently sit 15th, six points about the relegation zone, ahead of the trip to Rayo Vallecano.

Mel's side have gone three games without a victory but gave Real Madrid a run for their money last weekend, leading early on before going down 3-2 following a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo.

After Rayo, they face home games against Espanyol and strugglers Racing Santander, and Mel told www.realbetisbalompie.es: "We do not look at the table, we know it by heart.

"This month is vital to us. We have nine points to play for in eight days and the players know that these three games are vital.

"We would be bad professionals if we did not know the importance of the three games to come."

Midfielder Salva Sevilla believes Betis have paid for their inability to perform against sides down the bottom of the table.

He said: "I think we have a lack of motivation when we play against teams below us. We are in the top division and for many this is what we wanted for a number of seasons."

Sevilla echoed his manager's thoughts about the clash, saying: "It is clear that the next game is important to us and we are just thinking of it despite then having two straight at home.

"We want to go forward and get the three points. In defence we must be very attentive. They are doing well and can score a goal at any time."

If Betis were to win they would close to within a point of Rayo, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in October and will hope to bounce back after last week's 5-1 hammering by Espanyol.