Real Betis Balompié aim to extend their four-game winning streak when they travel to face Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor this Sunday. Manuel Pellegrini's side, sitting third in LaLiga with 15 points, approach matchday 7 with two confirmed absences and a question mark over their striker.
Diego Llorente and Aitor Ruibal are ruled out for the fixture, according to the club's medical report. Their absence forces adjustments in defence and midfield. The main uncertainty, however, centres on the attacking spearhead, where Cucho Hernández and Troy Parrott are competing for the starting spot. The Chilean manager must decide whether to keep faith with Cucho, who scored against Villarreal, or continue with Parrott, who provided the assist for the winning goal against Getafe last time out.
The probable Betis lineup for the clash at Riazor features Álvaro Valles in goal. The defensive line would consist of Héctor Bellerín, Natan, Marc Bartra and Fran García. In central midfield, Marc Roca and Pablo Fornals would operate as the double pivot. Ahead of them, the attacking trio would be Antony, Isco and Rodrigo Riquelme, who is set to start at left-back ahead of an Abde Ezzalzouli who is gradually returning from a summer injury. The striker, as mentioned, is the big doubt between Cucho Hernández and Parrott.
This setup is intended to be the most competitive possible for a tough away game. The 1-0 win over Getafe last Wednesday, with a goal from Abde, allowed Betis to rotate and arrive with energy for this challenge. The full squad, aside from the two absentees, is available to Pellegrini, who trusts his team to keep picking up points to maintain the pace at the top of the table, six points behind Barcelona.
On the Coruña side, manager Antonio Hidalgo also has his headaches. A virus has affected the squad and there are doubts over the physical condition of players like Adama Traoré and Yeremay, which will be resolved in the hours before kick-off. Also, full-back Angeliño is suspended due to a red card.
Hidalgo, who made up to five changes to his starting eleven against Sevilla, could alter his team again. Leo Román is expected to continue in goal, with Ximo Navarro and Giacomo Quagliata returning to the full-back positions. Centre-back Giménez would repeat as the defensive leader. In central midfield, Mario Soriano, who was a substitute for the first time in 82 matches last matchday, would return to the starting lineup alongside a rested Casadó and the ever-present Amatucci, who has played every minute this season. In attack, Bil Nsongo and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are favoured to form the striking duo if the system remains unchanged.
Deportivo, seventh in the table, represent a serious obstacle for Betis's ambitions. The match at Riazor, with the local crowd as an ally, is always a challenge. For Betis, who have beaten Real Madrid and Villarreal already this season, it is a chance to demonstrate their solidity away from home and cement their position in the top three. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 18:30.
Read the full report at Sport.es
