Betis host Feyenoord and aim to extend their Champions run

Real Betis Balompié

The next hurdle is the Feyenoord. Along with Slovan Bratislava, the Dutch are, at least on paper, the most manageable opponent they could have drawn at the time. As of today, they lead the Eredivisie despite a slip-up in their most recent matchday. In the Champions League, they have recorded a -surprising- win against Como of Cesc Fabregas , with a comeback included. This time, they will not have the push of their incredible supporters. The Betis will. And it is well known that they are the number 12, par excellence, at every Betis match at La Cartuja.

By play, squad and numbers, the Betis are strong favorites. Not so much by their European track record. But the Andalusians are showing that they play without any kind of complexes. Their third and ninth-place finishes in the league and Champions League respectively prove it. The loss to the FC Barcelona was to be expected and does not, in any way, overshadow what has been the Betis' best start in their history. The head-to-head record also smiles on the Beticos: a single meeting in January this year, and a victory.

Abde, Isco, Alvaro Vallés, Cucho Hernández... hard to pick just one

Everything is going so well that it is hard to choose just one player above the rest. Some who usually come into the rotations- like Riquelme- are in great form, and the starters show an outstanding level in every match. Álvaro Vallés is one of the best goalkeepers in the league. The Sevillian, fourth in the race for the Zamora, is in the sweetest moment of his career and has put in performances- like against Real Madrid at La Cartuja- that will be remembered, positioning himself as a possible future option for the Spain goal. Something similar is happening with Abde and Isco. The Moroccan and the Spaniard are essential to this Betis and they have already combined for 7 goals.  All of this in a team with names like Antony, Fornals, Bartra or Fran García. 

Also, after a difficult September on the physical side, luck is once again smiling on the Andalusians. The ghosts of injuries are behind them and only two players are sidelined with injury. Something key for the good performance of Pellegrini's men, who already managed, with fewer resources, to take Villarreal and Málaga to a semifinal and some Champions quarterfinals respectively.

A Betis with plenty of clues and a Feyenoord with little room to maneuver

Aside from the Chilean's two final absences, neither Aitor Ruibal nor Junior Firpo nor Cucho Hernández will be in the squad. Álvaro Valles will be the goalkeeper who defends the Betis goal. A safe pair of hands. The change of Bellerín in the 70th minute against Barcelona suggests that the Catalan is fully in the plans of the "engineer". The same goes for Fran García, essential in the big matches since his verdiblanco journey began. Bartra and Natan, who had a rest this weekend, will form the center of the defense.

The main question is who will be chosen to run the team. Facundo Bernal did start against the Blaugrana, but the red card he received will keep him out, at worst, until four matchdays. Marc Roca, meanwhile, has had much less involvement in the league, but precisely Facundo's suspension puts the Catalan in the spotlight, and he will have an important role from now on. Is it Facundo because he will get more rest, or Marc Roca because he rested this matchday? Only the Chilean coach has the answer. The attacking midfielder spot is reserved for Isco Alarcón. The Malaga man is living his second youth in Heliópolis, and he is one of the most experienced players in Europe, and his work as captain also does not go unnoticed. Unless there is a setback, Abde will play on the left and Antony on the right. The icing on the cake points to Troy Parrot. The Cucho Hernández ended Saturday with a knock and it has been confirmed that he is suffering an injury to the sole of his left leg. The Irishman was included among those who rotated, and with the Colombian's injury confirmed, he has his starting spot assured. 

Nothing like the situation at the Feyenoord. The "kameraden" are heavily affected by the plague of injuries in their ranks. Up to 8. The back line- with 5 injured- is the most affected. Van Bronckhorst has been forced to improvise a defense in recent weeks and, curiously, two Spanish players are part of these patched-up solutions carried out by the Dutchman: Mika Mármol, a starter on the left flank and converted into a center-back, and Javi López, tasked with standing in for Mika Mármol at left-back. Givairo Read is the one covering the right flank. In the attacking area, Hadj Moussa and Gaoussou Diarra usually occupy the wide positions. As the link player, Luciano Valentín and Stejin share the minutes. Up front, unless there is a major surprise, another Spaniard, Nacho Ferri.

Possible Betis- Feyenoord lineups

Real Betis Balompié: Álvaro Valles; Héctor Bellerín, Marc Bartra, Natan, Fran García; Facundo Bernal, Pablo Fornals; Antony, Isco, Abde and Troy Parrot.

Feyenoord: Ernst; Read, Wattanabe, Mármol, López; Vanhoutte, Zechiël, Steijn; Hadj Moussa, Diarra and Nacho Ferri.

Kick-off time and where to watch the match on TV

The match between the Betis and the Feyenoord will be played this Wednesday October 21 from 21:00 CET at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville. In Spain, it can be followed live by Movistar plus Liga de Campeones for subscribers to that platform.