Betis and Real Sociedad approach their first matchday in completely different forms. The hosts had a strong preseason, posting impressive wins over Lyon (4-0) and Arsenal (3-1). Meanwhile, the Basques ended their preparations with three consecutive defeats to Chelsea, Cologne, and Toulouse, conceding in each of their seven friendlies. The visitors' defensive problems, exacerbated by the absence of new signings, give Betis a significant advantage heading into La Liga.
The teams rarely draw in head-to-head matches—of their last 11 matches, only two have ended tied. Last season, Betis won confidently at home (3-1) and drew 2-2 away. Given Sociedad's defensive woes and Betis's confident attack, a victory for the hosts seems reasonable. Betis are expected to seize the initiative immediately at La Cartuja, capitalizing on their fresh squad and their opponent's poor form. While Real Sociedad struggles to find their groove, the Andalusians could decide the outcome of the match in the first half.
