Real Betis vs Villarreal preview - Betis wait on duo

Real Betis manager Pepe Mel is sweating on the fitness of Beqat Etxebarria and Rubin Castro ahead of the visit of Villarreal to the Benito Villamarin.

Castro, who scored the opener as Betis recorded their first win in seven at Malaga last weekend, has a knee problem, whilst Beqat has been carrying an injury for the past couple of weeks.

Mel told the club's website: "The situation with Beqat and Ruben Castro worries us. It will be difficult for Beqat to play in all three games this week and we will monitor his progress in the final training sessisn before the game.

"Ruben has been more of a surprise as his knee became inflamed after training on Thursday and they would be two big absences for us."

Mel was delighted to have finally picked up three points against Malaga, but stressed there is still work to do if they are to avoid a relegation scrap against an improving Villarreal.

"They are three very important points and would give us tremendous relief after the victory against Malaga, but Villarreal have magnificent players and it won't be easy.

"Villarreal expected to be fighting for other objectives and now they are immersed in a relegation battle. To fight for something other than you envisaged can sometimes torment players."

The Yellow Submarine however are unbeaten in three games since Miguel Angel Lotina took charge and he believes the key to their success has been their defensive solidity.

Lotina told the club's website: "What we are trying to do is not concede easy goals. We know it is not always possible to keep a clean sheet, but we can't afford to give away goals.

"We are picking up defensive habits and we are happy but we need to continue insisting on these so that the players know what they are doing in every moment."

Nilmar is fit again and should return to the side that drew 0-0 with Espanyol last weekend, but Cristian Zapata is suspended so Gonzalo is expected to deputise at centre-back.