Preview: Betis-Alaves

Real Betis boss Victor Sanchez believes his side should be challenging for Europe ahead of Sunday’s game against midtable rivals Alaves.

Last weekend’s 1-0 win at Celta Vigo ensured Betis would feature in La Liga next season, and Victor Sanchez made it clear he would look to keep the nucleus of his squad for a top-six tilt, blaming their problems in 2016-17 on “a lack of consistency”.

“If we look at the top half of the table and the teams that fight for trophies, the Champions League and Europa League, we’ve scored or had chances against all of them,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“There’s a lack of consistency in our results, but the team are showing constant growth.

“We have to be clear in that our objective is to compete for Europe and we have to work for

“For the coming season, however, we won’t sign 15 or 16 players, as has happened in the past, and that’s important.

“We don’t want to start next season from scratch, but rather with many [that are currently here], and that’s very important for consistency.”

Alaves are also seeking to maintain the status quo as they have offered boss Mauricio Pellegrino a new contract, in light of the Argentine guiding the Basques to safety and a first-ever Copa del Rey final.

“We’ll wait a few days and when we have to make an announcement, we will,” he explained.

“We’re trying to end the season well so we can reach the [Copa] final with good sensations.”

Real Betis (probable): Adan; Pezzella, Mandi, Tosca; Rafa Navarro, Pardo, Ceballos, Brasanac, Durmisi; Joaquin, Ruben Castro

Injuries/suspensions: Sanabria, Martin, Piccini (all injured)

Alaves (probable): Pacheco; Femenia, Ely, Feddal, Theo; Camarasa, Marcos Llorente; Edgar, Oscar Romero, Ibai; Deyverson

Injuries/suspensions: Galilea (I) Laguardia (I)

Referee: Ocon Arraiz

Form guide: Betis (L W W L L) Alaves (D D W L L)

Previous meeting: Alaves 1-0 Betis

Kick-off time: 15:15 BST/16:15 CET

La Liga - Club News