Two of Spain's Champions League participants meet in La Liga on Monday night. Villarreal are targeting their first victory of the campaign against Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Defensive concerns for Villarreal

Despite some encouraging attacking displays, Villarreal have been leaking goals under their new boss Iñigo Pérez. Goalkeeper Luiz Júnior made two major errors in the 3-2 defeat to Deportivo La Coruña last weekend, and he was replaced by Péter Gulácsi against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The experienced Hungarian should keep his place here, but Pérez will also be looking for improvements from his back four. The ex-Rayo Vallecano coach has fitness doubts over defenders Carlos Romero and Juan Foyth, which will limit his options.

Nicolas Pépé should return as part of the rotation further up the pitch. The Ivorian winger has scored twice in four league outings so far this term.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Gulácsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Gueye, Saliba; Pépé, G. Moreno, Moleiro; Mikautadze.

Isco getting back towards his best for Betis

Goals from summer signing Troy Parrott have sealed victories for Real Betis in their last two games. Despite that, the Irishman is not a guaranteed starter for the trip to the Cerámica, with Cucho Hernández providing competition up front.

Pablo Fornals and Antony are likely to be used out wide in this game. Isco should also keep his place, after registering three shots and three key passes in the 3-2 victory over Lille last week. He is looking sharper again, following an injury-ravaged 2025/26 campaign.

The visitors are only expected to be without two players due to injury. Aitor Ruibal and Diego Llorente will play no part as two of the top five teams from last season in La Liga meet.

Real Betis predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Valles; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, F. García; Roca, Bernal; Antony, Isco, Fornals; C. Hernández.

Villarreal vs Real Betis Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Both teams to score
  • Odds: 1.52 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Villarreal 2-3 Real Betis
  • 22Bet Booking Code: N434S

Key stats:

  • Villarreal have gone 19 competitive fixtures without keeping a clean sheet.
  • All of the past four meetings between these clubs at the Cerámica have seen goals for each side.
  • There have been 13 goals scored across the previous three Real Betis matches.

Backing both teams to score is the smart approach. That has been a winning bet in five of the last six encounters between Villarreal and Real Betis. It has also landed in four of the five outings for the Yellow Submarine in the 2026/27 season to date.

Despite being the underdogs, there's good reason to expect Betis to score. They've netted twice on each of their previous three visits to this stadium. The Andalusians were really impressive on their Champions League return last week, creating three big chances and having 20 shots against Lille.

Villarreal vs Real Betis Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Real Betis to win or draw
  • Odds: 1.948 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: VEJ4S

Real Betis haven't lost an away fixture against Villarreal since 2021. They've taken eight points from their four trips to the Cerámica since then.

With the Yellow Submarine winless in five outings this season, backing the visitors to avoid defeat offers value at odds of 1.948. Pellegrini's side have only lost two of their last 12 competitive fixtures.

Verdict: Both teams to score (1.52) — Villarreal 2-3 Real Betis