Real Betis will be looking to keep themselves in the running for a top-four finish in La Liga when they welcome Elche to Estadio Benito Villamarin on Tuesday night.

The home side are currently fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while Elche sit 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone with six games left.

Match preview

Real Betis made it five games unbeaten in La Liga when they drew 0-0 with fellow top-four hopefuls Real Sociedad on Friday, and they have picked up 11 points from their last five fixtures during a strong run.

Atletico's 2-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday afternoon has moved the reigning champions three points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis in the table, but a victory on Tuesday would see the Seville-based outfit remain in the race for the final Champions League spot heading into the final straight.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have won nine of their 16 home league matches this season but have actually made a stronger impression on their travels, boasting the third-best away record in Spain's top flight, collecting 28 points from their 16 fixtures, which is a total only bettered by Real Madrid (35).

Real Betis, who were knocked out in the Europa League round of 16 by Eintracht Frankfurt, have not claimed a top-four spot in La Liga since 2005, and they will be bidding to make it back-to-back league wins against Elche and Getafe ahead of a huge home game against Barcelona on May 7.

The Green and Whites will then take on Valencia and Granada before finishing their season away to Real Madrid, who could be champions by that point and potentially focusing on the Champions League.

Elche are far from mathematically safe from the threat of relegation, as they only sit seven points clear of the bottom three, but it would be a huge surprise to see them pulled into danger over the next couple of weeks.

Francisco's side actually lost three straight league games against Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad between March 19 and April 10, but they recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Mallorca on Saturday, which proved to be their ninth league success of the 2021-22 campaign.

Los Franjiverdes finished 17th in La Liga last season and are bidding to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level of football for the first time since 2015.

Elche have only picked up 12 points from their 16 away league games this term, though, and suffered a 3-0 defeat when they welcomed Real Betis for the reverse match earlier this season.

The Green-striped ones have not actually beaten Real Betis away from home in Spain's top flight since October 2013, and they will surely have to be at their best to overcome Pellegrini's side in this match, with the hosts fighting for a Champions League spot in Spain's top flight.

Team News

Real Betis will again be missing Victor Camarasa and Martin Montoya through injury, but the home side did not pick up any fresh issues in their goalless draw with Real Sociedad on Friday.

As a result, it would not be a surprise to see the same side that took to the field for the first whistle last time out, with Borja Iglesias again getting the nod over Willian Jose at centre-forward.

Sergio Canales, Nabil Fekir and Juanmi have all been excellent for the Green and Whites this season, meanwhile, and the trio should continue as the attacking three in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

As for Elche, Lucas Boye remains on the sidelines with a groin problem, while Guido Carrillo is still a doubt, but Helibelton Palacios is available again following a suspension.

Palacios is likely to return to the starting side in a right-sided wing-back role, with Josan Fernandez potentially dropping down to the bench for the away side.

Elche could otherwise be unchanged, though, with Kike Perez and Fidel operating in the wide areas, and Ezequiel Ponce leading the line, leaving the likes of Pere Milla and Pablo Piatti on the bench.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Moreno; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Juanmi, Fekir, Canales; Iglesias

Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Roco, Verdu, Bigas, Mojica; Perez, Guti, Mascarell, Fidel; Ponce

We say: Real Betis 2-0 Elche

Elche were excellent against Mallorca on Saturday, but we are finding it really difficult to back against Real Betis in this match. Pellegrini's side need to keep winning to stay in the top-four race, and the home team should have too much quality for their opponents on Tuesday night.

Previews by email