Real Betis vs Granada CF preview - Mixed form ahead of derby

Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 by PA

Real Betis and Granada head into the Andalusian derby at the Benito Villamarin stadium with contrasting circumstances.

Betis will be looking to build on their 3-1 win over Valencia last weekend, a match in which they produced their best performance of the campaign so far.

Granada, meanwhile, will hope to make amends for their frustrating 1-0 defeat to Espanyol, whose winning goal came from a controversial indirect free-kick.

Their anger in that game was further compounded when Odion Ighalo was sent off for dissent.

As a result, the Nigerian forward is suspended for the match with Betis, joining the injured Yacine Brahimi, Francisco Medina 'Piti' and Diego Mainz in missing the short trip to Seville.

"Against Betis we need to play well and improve on the things we didn't do so well in the last game." winger Michael Pereira told reporters.

"We need to be more accurate with our short passes and get our set pieces and tactics right."

He also warned that Pepe Mel's team "have a very deep squad, which is playing in Europe and always competes well".

"Betis always take the initiative at their ground, which is a difficult place to go," he added.

"They are quick on the break and going forward and have dangerous players on the wings, but we want to pick up points there."

Mel's side drew 0-0 with Lyon in their opening Europa League group game on Thursday, and the coach is expected to rotate his squad to give some of those that played against the French side a rest.

Eder Vilarchao, Juan Carlos Perez and Sergio Rodriguez are all ruled out through injury, and it remains to be seen whether Ruben Castro, who has not yet started a league game this season, gets a place in the starting line-up, having responded well to treatment he received for his back injury.

Javi Chica and Javi Matilla, who have been excluded from the squad for Europa League games, are expected to return to the side, in defence and central midfield respectively.