Real Betis boss Pepe Mel hailed Las Palmas as a team “with great players” who “can beat anyone” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Gran Canaria in La Liga.
The Andalucians can move to within one point of the top six with a win against their fellow new boys, but much of the pre-game talk has centred around next week’s derby with Sevilla – something the Coach addressed at his weekly Press conference.
“Las Palmas are a good team,” he said.
“Although they’re low in the table, they have been playing very well at home and are capable of playing like they did against Real Sociedad [a 2-0 win]. They can beat anyone.
“[Alfred N’Diaye] has four yellow cards, so it’s my decision whether he travels or not [in light of the derby].
“For this reason, we’re thinking about the next game [Sevilla at Benito Villamarin] and it’s a situation the player understands.
“It’s understandable that the derby is being discussed, but I prefer to focus on a match like Las Palmas because winning it would almost put the team in the top six.
“Still, it’s normal that people are excited about our next game against Sevilla, even if the most important thing at the moment is the match against Las Palmas.
“[Las Palmas] have changed the way they go about winning and are now in the style of a Quique Setien team.
“They could have more points because they have some great players, so anyone who thinks Betis will win easily are wrong.
“[On Antonio Adan returning from a sprained ankle], he must prove his fitness on [Friday].
“There are days when you work well and some when you feel pain.”
