Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Estadio Benito Villamarin will host Sunday’s football game between Real Betis and Las Palmas, the two top-table sides. Los Beticos are undefeated in the previous eight league matches, but they need to start winning on a regular basis if they are to book their spot in European competitions. Even though goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Rui Silva and defenders Youssouf Sabaly and Marc Bartra are sidelined with injuries, home win should be considered as Betis do not suit Las Palmas.
La Union Deportiva, on the other hand, have been showing signs of improvement of late, with the team beating both Almeria and Atletico Madrid, while sharing the spoils with Osasuna. Las Palmas, though, have suffered nine defeats in the previous ten meetings with Betis at “Villamarin” in all competitions, which is probably the main reason why we are going to bet on Manuel Pellegrini’s troops. As for the away team, all Lemos, Crespo, Gonzalez, and Perez remain in the recovery room, while Jonathan Viera is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Willian José):
Well-travelled Brazilian international Willian Jose was born in Porto Calvo and made his first football steps at a local Clube de Regatas. It was at the age of 17 that he was snapped by Gremio Barueri where he made 26 league appearances and scored six goal in his first – and only – senior season at the club.
In 2011, Willian Jose moved to Deportivo Maldonado but his five-year stint with the Uruguay outfit was marked by no less than seven different loan spells, one of which was to La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid. Standing at 186cm tall, Willian Jose is a notable presence in the box. This powerful centre forward will use his physicality to hold up ball and bring his teammates into play.
The Brazilian international did well to make a name for himself in Spain by playing for Zaragoza and Las Palmas, respectively, before he sealed a permanent move to Real Sociedad in 2016. A member of both FIFA U-20 World Cup and South American Youth Championship winning sides with Brazil in 2011, Willian Jose has not been given a chance to prove his worth at the senior level with Selecao.
Highlighted Team (Las Palmas):
Las Palmas are a Spanish football club based in the Canary Islands. The club was founded on 22 August, 1949. Los Amarillos play in Spanish La Liga and the team’s home ground is Estadio Gran Canaria. The stadium was opened in 2003 and it’s current capacity is 32,150. Miguel Angel Ramirez is the club’s chairman and the club’s main rivals are Tenerife.
Las Palmas impressed in the 2015/2016 La liga campaign, with the team finishing the season in 11th place in the standings. However, it has to be noted that los Amarillos finished the 1968/1969 Primera Division campaign in second place in the table, 11 points behind Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Speaking of Copa del Rey, Las Palmas made it to the final of the Spanish Cup in 1978. Las Palmas eliminated Sporting Gijon in the semis (5-3), but Barcelona outplayed los Amarillos in the title game (3-1).