Real Betis vs Racing de Santander preview - Betis look to bounce back

Real Betis will attempt to put the disappointment of Thursday's 1-1 draw against Espanyol behind them and pick up a much-needed three points against fellow strugglers Racing Santander on Sunday.

Betis had looked set to end a run of three successive losses with a home victory against Espanyol, but a Walter Pandiani equaliser deep into stoppage time earned the visitors a tie.

That result left Betis still in the bottom six of La Liga and in danger of going down, although a victory this weekend would be a huge step towards safety as they are currently seven points above third-bottom Racing.

Betis coach Pepe Mel said: "It's a shame to have lost two points at the death, although we've also won games in the final minutes.

"It's been a bit of a cruel blow, but we need to lift ourselves and think about Sunday.

"There are 10 finals left and we are on course to achieve our objective. We cannot think about anything other than Racing."

Racing make the long trip south to Andalusia in the worst form of any Primera Division team after losing their last four matches.

The Cantabrians have not tasted victory since January 15 and they find themselves four points adrift of Villarreal and safety.

Racing's plight has not been helped by a spate of red cards, with the team having had a player sent off in three of the last four matches, while they have been reduced to 10 men six times already in competitive matches in 2012.

Recently-installed Racing coach Alvaro Cervera said: "We are suffering too many blows. Some day our luck will change because it cannot be the same in every game. Every match we have players sent off, goals disallowed...enough already.

"We need to lift ourselves and continue fighting. We're improving, but we need time, although I know that we don't have much and are against the clock. For that reason we must get a move on. And we're going to do it, we're going to get out of this."