LaLiga 2026/27: Real Betis are challenging the Big 3 in Spain
Real Betis Balompié has started the new LaLiga campaign in excellent fashion. They are currently sitting in third place in the league table, even on points with second-placed Atlético de Madrid on 16 points having won five games, drawn one and lost one. Real Betis ended last season in fifth place on 60 points, qualifying for the Champions League this season. So, this isn’t that much of a surprise that they have started well again.
Real Betis has already secured a top scalp in Real Madrid this season, defeating them 1-0 at the Benito Villamarin with striker Troy Parrot scoring the winner and Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé missing a late penalty to equalise. The Betis defensive line frustrated the Real Madrid attack and created a few decent chances of their own. Los Verdiblancos also won their first Champions League game against LOSC Lille coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 away from home. Those two games have been the highlight so far showing completely contrasting ways of winning a game. Against Real Madrid, they were stoic and earned a well-deserved narrow win while in the Champions League they showed incredible mentality and fight to come back from being 2-0 down to score three goals at a difficult away stadium.
After the huge 5-2 defeat against Levante early in the season, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have gained form and momentum and look quite impressive so far. Their new Irish striker Troy Parrot has scored some vital goals and already become a fan favourite. Rodrigo Riquelme, Marco Bartra, Cucho Hernández and Fran Garcia have been superb so far. Hernández is continuing his top form from last season where he scored 11 league goals and provided 3 assists.
Although Betis hasn’t been known to be a particularly attacking side that will score freely like Barcelona, they have the defensive stability to defend even a one-goal lead. Pellegrini is an experienced coach who likes to play a possession-based game with a controlled tempo and an organised defence.
The back four of Héctor Bellerin, Natan, Fran Garcia and Marc Bartra/ Diego Llorente is a solid defensive unit. Former Manchester United winger Antony who had a tough time at Old Trafford has also rediscovered his form at Real Betis. He scored eight goals and bagged six assists in 32 league games last season. He also made 10 appearances in the Europa League scoring six goals and providing three assists, helping Real Betis to the quarter-finals.
With Real Madrid having started this LaLiga campaign in underwhelming manner, Atletico and Real Betis have taken an early advantage of making the top three behind a dangerous Barca team that looks unbeatable at the moment. Whether Real Betis can step up from last season and break the usual ‘Top Three’ monotony remains to be seen but for now they are playing according to plan and winning difficult games.
