Our experts offer you the best predictions, odds and bets for Villanovense vs Real Betis in the Copa del Rey on 12/06/2023
Real Betis felt comfortable with that 1-12 scoreline at the start of the cup during their visit to Hernán Cortes and now return to the province of Badajoz to face Villanovense with the aim of resuming the match as soon as possible to settle.
- Result at half-time: Real Betis – 1.53 inches bet365
- Result/both teams score: Real Betis/Yes – 2.87 inches bet365
- Half with most goals: First – 3.00 inches bet365
All odds courtesy of bet365, correct at time of publication and subject to change
Pellegrini favors a fast track approach
Despite struggling to maximize results outside their home arena, which has kept Betis from the top six in La Liga and has caused issues in the Europa League, the team showed sustained strength in the cup opener, winning 1-12 as Willian Jose hit four goals and Rodri added a hat trick, even after missing a penalty. The performance demonstrated the capacity to produce a quick, decisive victory when things align.
Manuel Pellegrini opted for several rotations against Hernán Cortés, yet he fielded a highly competitive lineup that decided the outcome within minutes. Players such as Abner, Chadi Riad, Abde Ezzalzouli or Willian Jose figured prominently, with Rodri and Marc Roca also contributing, and Héctor Bellerín coming on as a substitute along with other squad members. The strategic balance allowed Betis to control the match early on.
The question now is whether the same approach will be used again, especially with a high-stakes trip to Real Madrid just three days later and a Europa League rematch in Glasgow looming. If Pellegrini sticks with a quick-start plan, the aim is to replicate a first-half performance similar to the one in the cup’s opening round, where Betis secured a dominant lead at the break.
There is a belief that more goals might come in the first half rather than the second, even though Betis typically sees a larger share of their goals after the interval. The fixture against Villanovense, a team from the Second Federation, presents a different dynamic from Betis’ usual matches, making a faster start more plausible.
At the same time, the Extremadura side could offer resistance and find a way to score. Hernán Cortés capitalized on any sign of relaxation when the score was 0-10 to net a goal, and Villanovense even turned a 2-1 win over Ibiza, a higher-tier opponent, into a reminder that scoring opportunities can arise late if pressure is sustained.
Additionally, Villanovense’s goals tended to arrive after the break in their recent Cup contest, a period when Betis is generally more vulnerable away from home. This pattern could balance the risk of Betis pressing forward and leaving gaps, creating chances for a late response from the underdog.