Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis Odds & Preview – La Liga Round 12

• It is Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis in Round 12 of the La Liga on Sunday, October 31 at 9:15 am ET
• Betis is up to fourth after a fine run while current champions Atleti are sixth
• We preview the game, look at the odds, and offer some picks below

It is Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis in Round 12 of the La Liga on Sunday, October 31 at 9:15 am ET. The hosts currently lie in sixth after a shaky start to the season but Betis is the league surprise package with their fine start to the campaign taking them up to fourth.

Atleti comes into this game off the back of a 2-2 draw at Levante on Thursday, while Betis recorded another impressive victory, this time an emphatic 4-1 home win over Valencia.

We list the odds, preview Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis, and offer below the best picks for this La Liga Matchday 12 clash.

Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis United Odds

Odds as of October 29 at DraftKings

Lukewarm Start for Atleti

Atletico has struggled a little with the pressure of being the La Liga’s current champions but has won five of their nine games so far and lost just once, so remain in touch with the current pacesetter, Real Sociedad. The current five-point gap is very catchable at this early stage of the campaign, but they will be keen not to lose any further ground,  Equally important is the need to not lose to the teams above them in the table, Betis being one of them, and they will be desperate to return to winning ways after going three without a win in all competitions.

Back to work. Betis 💭 pic.twitter.com/rWNoO2dQry

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 29, 2021

Atleti coach Diego Simeone has persisted with his preferred style of playing solid, counter-attacking soccer but goals have been a little easier to come by of late, albeit at the expense of conceding more goals than he would ordinarily like. In those three win-less games, they scored twice against Liverpool in a 3-2 home defeat in the Champions League and the same in back-to-back 2-2 draws with Real Sociedad and Levante.

Drama in Levante

The draw against Levante could easily have been a win as the Red and Whites were 2-1 ahead as the game entered injury-time, but a debatable handball decision, given after a prolonged VAR review, resulted in the home side being awarded their second penalty of the game. For the second time in the match, Enis Bardhi converted successfully from the spot. The drama did not end there though and protests followed, from the Atleti bench, minus Simeone who had seen red as a result of an earlier confrontation with the referee.

VAMOS ATLETI! LET'S PUSH FOR THE W! 👊 pic.twitter.com/VNEGrfabIK

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 28, 2021

A win here is a must for Simeone’s men and they have some good form against Betis to fall back on, having won three of their last four league meetings, including a 2-0 victory in the equivalent game last season.

Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis Head-to-Head Stats

Betis in Fine Form

Betis has exceeded their own pre-season expectations and currently looks in with a great chance of securing Champions League soccer next season. Their fine form was evident in midweek when they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at home to Valencia, with goals from Borja Iglesias (2), German Pezzella and Juanmi. Under the management of the experienced Manuel Pellegrini, they have won six, drawn three and lost just twice.

🤗🤗🤗

In love with this man.#ForeverGreen pic.twitter.com/eIwJZaeNLt

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) October 28, 2021

This good form has been a slow burner though and they come into the Atleti game after having won five of their last six and three of their last three. In their three most recent wins – against Alaves, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia – they have played some brilliant soccer and so will head to Madrid bursting full of confidence.

Potential for Better Than Sixth

In addition to some excellent domestic form, Los Verdiblancos have also shone in the Europa League where they have picked up seven points from a possible nine. They are currently second in Group G and look to be well on course for a comfortable qualification for the knockout phase of the tournament.

🐼🔥🏟

About last night…@BorjaIglesias9#ForeverGreen pic.twitter.com/qHe8zyGDB4

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) October 28, 2021

All things point to another successful season for Betis, with the potential for some silverware and a higher finish than the sixth place they achieved in La Liga last season.

Atlético Madrid vs Real Betis  Prediction

Atleti starts this game as the odds-on favorite but Betis is very much the in-form team in the league. Simeone’s men have not been able to defend with their usual solidity this season and so the value here is very much with the away win, with Pellegrini’s troops more than capable of getting a win in the Wanda Metropolitano.

Pick: Real Betis to win (+500)