Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis Odds & Preview La Liga Round 36
- Atletico Madrid will be aiming to extend their recent dominance when they host Real Betis on Saturday
- Undefeated in 15 straight matches, Atletico are in reach of a berth in next season’s Champions League, while Betis searches for an end to a lengthy winless slide on the road
- Read on to get all the odds and trends behind Saturday’s La Liga Matchday 36 contest at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid can take a huge step towards clinching both a spot above the line on the La Liga table and a berth in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a win on Saturday at 4:00 pm EST when they host Real Betis as heavy -215 favorites in the La Liga Matchday 36 odds.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | -1.0 (-120) | -215 | O 2.5 (+100) |
| Real Betis | +1.0 (+100) | +650 | U 2.5 (-120) |
| Draw | n/a | +330 | n/a |
Odds taken July 10
Atletico Poised to Clinch UCL Berth
The Colchoneros have emerged as one of the most consistent clubs in Spanish soccer this year, going undefeated in 15 straight matches across all competitions since the beginning of February, including a sparkling 6-1-0 win-draw-loss record on home turf at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano during that stretch.
📊❤️ @SevillaFC_ENG's win takes them level on points with Atleti in third! #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/M2N5QoQf8o
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) July 9, 2020
Atletico’s steady run has lifted them into third place on the La Liga table, deadlocked with Sevilla with 63 points, and six points up on fifth-place Villarreal. That means an Atletico victory on Saturday combined with a draw or loss by Villarreal in their Monday home date with Real Sociedad will ensure Atletico of no worse than a fourth-place finish this season, and an eighth straight trip to the Champions League next season.
Home Field Dominance Fueling Climb Up the Table
With so much on the line and plenty of momentum behind them, Atletico offers considerable value on this weekend’s La Liga odds. The club’s impressive play on home turf predates their current overall unbeaten streak.
The Colchoneros have suffered just one defeat over their past 24 league matches played on home turf, a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Barcelona back in December. The club has gone 7-2-0 since, and have played outstanding defense, surrendering just five total goals and keeping clean sheets on five occasions, capped by a 3-0 rout of Mallorca last week.
Costa, Morata Key to Atletico Attack
The Colchoneros should also get a lift from the return of Diego Costa, who is expected to return to action after missing Tuesday’s 1-1 draw on the road with Celta Vigo. The 31-year-old was suspended for the match for accumulating yellow cards and has appeared in just 20 matches this season after missing time earlier in the campaign due to hamstring and neck injuries.
📽️ Enjoy @AlvaroMorata's impressive goal! ❤️🔝🤍#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/bxLYR5IPYG
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) July 8, 2020
However, it has been Alvaro Morata that has been driving the Atletico attack in recent outings. The 27-year-old Spaniard has scored three times over the club’s past two league outings. He also potted the match-winner in Atletico’s 2-1 road win over Real Betis back in December, and edges out Costa as a high-value +260 favorite to open the scoring on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis Stats
| 3rd (63 points) | Standing in La Liga | 13th (41 points) |
| 1.34 | Goals per game | 1.34 |
| 0.74 | Goals against per game | 1.57 |
| 3-2-0 | W-D-L record in past five La Liga matches | 2-1-2 |
Betis Vie for Rare Consecutive Wins
While Atletico is getting ready to make plans for European play next season, Real Betis will be aiming to tally consecutive wins in league play for the first time since December when they hit the pitch for Saturday’s clash as lengthy +650 underdogs.
The Big Greens snapped a three-match winless streak in decisive fashion last time out, topping Osasuna 3-0 on home turf on Wednesday. With the win, Betis has now earned at least a point in three of their past five outings to remain nine points clear of the relegation zone. However, consistently picking up points on the road has proven to be a far greater challenge.
Can Betis Extend Stingy Trend in Madrid?
The club travels to Madrid riding a ten-match winless streak on the road and have claimed just one victory in 17 league matches away from Estadio Benito Villamarín so far this season. The Big Greens have been outscored by a wide 15-8 margin during their ten-match road slide, and have been held off the scoresheet in four of their past eight road dates.
🗣🎙▶
"We have to face each game as it was a final to try to climb in the table"#AtletiRealBetis pic.twitter.com/m1FscqHtkH
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) July 10, 2020
But while Betis has struggled of late on the road, they have managed to keep things close in recent road dates with Atletico. While the Big Greens have mustered just one total goal while going winless in their past six road dates with Atletico, they have proven effective at shutting down the Madrid attack in their past three visits, limiting the Colchoneros to just two total goals in those contests. However, with Atletico having much to gain from a win, it remains to be seen whether Betis can maintain that stinginess in Saturday’s contest.
Picks: Atletico Madrid -1.0 (-120); Atletico Madrid to record shutout win (+120); Morata to score first goal (+260)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
