Real Betis begins this Sunday against Osasuna the decisive stretch of its most exciting season in several decades, with the Copa del Rey final three weeks away and the possibility of continuing in the fight to achieve its second qualification for the Champions League. The Navarrese arrive at Benito Villamarín (4:15 p.m.) with their homework done and without qualifying problems, closer to seventh place (7 points away) which could be worth going to Europe if Betis is proclaimed Cup champion, than in the area relegation, from which they are separated by 12 points when there are only nine games left to play.
Probable alignments Betis-Osasuna
The break must have come in handy for Manuel Pellegrini’s squad, which during the months of January, February and March has been the one that has had to play the most matches because it is the only one alive in all competitions, although the clash against the Navarrese The Verdiblancos face it with significant casualties, since they will not be available to the Chilean coach Canales and Borja Iglesias, due to physical problems, as will Fekir and Pezzella, these due to suspension, apart from the long-term injured Martín Montoya and Camarasa.
It will be the second time in three years that the Verdiblancos play a league match without Canales or Fekir, although a few weeks ago they went to Saint Petersburg without them and managed to get their qualification for the Europa League round of 16 on track with a resounding victory against Zenit (2-3), a game in which Aitor Ruibal, Joaquín, Juanmi and Willian José formed up, the same ones who can repeat this Sunday in the absence of the two mentioned, plus Borja Iglesias, the League footballer who has the most matches has been on his legs this season (42) and that he has had to stop due to muscle problems.
The doubt of Claudio Bravo or Rui Silva in the goal and the name of Bartra’s companion -Edgar or Víctor Ruiz- are other unknowns that remain open in a Betis starting eleven, to which Bellerín and Álex Moreno will return on the flanks and will remain the Guido-William Carvalho couple in the axis, despite the international commitments disputed these days by both. Tello, Guardado, Rodri or Paul also have options to enter one of them at the start or surely during the match.
Jagoba Arrasate, who has lost four in a row -and a draw- in his clashes with Real Betis at the helm of Osasuna, only has Kike Barja and Jesús Areso absent and will present a very recognizable eleven at the Benito Villamarín, where a win would allow the rojillos look at least out of the corner of their eyes at the European positions, something they could still aspire to if they link several victories in a row in this final stretch of the Championship, in which they present themselves with their homework done and nothing to lose, which can make them especially dangerous.