Abde Returns As Betis And Valencia Clash In Seville Showdown

The stage is set for a thrilling LaLiga clash as Real Betis and Valencia prepare to square off this Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the iconic Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville. With both teams eyeing vital points at this critical juncture of the season, anticipation is running high—not least because of the return of Betis’s dynamic winger Abde, who has hinted at something special for the weekend. The match, scheduled for 10:15 AM ET and available for live streaming on ESPN+, promises to be a contest brimming with storylines, stats, and individual battles that could shape the fortunes of both clubs.

Abde’s comeback is one of the talking points heading into Sunday. After an enforced absence due to his participation with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, the left-sided attacker has returned to Betis with renewed sharpness and confidence. He wasted little time in making an impact, marking his return with a goal against Feyenoord in European competition. According to Superdeporte, Abde told the club media he was “keen on the next two fixtures, more so this weekend,” alluding to both the Valencia match and the upcoming Cup tie against Atlético de Madrid. His dribbling, one-on-one prowess, and improved end product have transformed him from a rotation option into a player with real weight in Manuel Pellegrini’s system. Goals, assists, and decisive moments have followed, making Abde a key figure in Betis’s attacking blueprint.

Valencia, meanwhile, arrive in Seville buoyed by back-to-back league wins. The recent uptick in form has injected fresh belief into a squad that, earlier in the campaign, struggled for consistency. However, the challenge is steep: Betis are eager to rebound after a disappointing loss to Alavés, and the home side’s faithful will be expecting a response. The Green and Whites have shown plenty of attacking verve this season, sitting fifth in LaLiga with 34 goals (an average of 1.6 per match). Their defensive record is solid too, with just 27 goals conceded in 21 matches—sixth best in the league.

On the other side, Valencia’s defense has been more porous, shipping 33 goals (1.6 per match) and ranking 15th in the division in that category. Offensively, they’ve managed 22 goals in 21 games, which places them 14th in LaLiga. The goal differential tells the story: Betis sit at +7, while Valencia are at -11, highlighting the relative strengths and weaknesses of each side this term.

But numbers only tell part of the tale. The individual matchups and the form of key players could tip the balance. For Betis, Aitor Ruibal is another name to watch. The versatile forward has found the net four times in 17 league appearances this campaign, scoring in three different matches. Interestingly, his actual goal tally is well above his expected goals (xG) of 0.6, indicating a knack for converting chances that come his way. Ruibal has attempted 12 shots, with seven on target—solid numbers for a player who often operates in multiple attacking roles. Betting odds for Ruibal to score against Valencia were set at +425 as of Sunday morning, reflecting both his threat and the unpredictability of football’s finest margins.

Between the posts, Betis are expected to rely on Alvaro Valles, whose career statistics speak to his reliability. Valles has made 148 stops in 50 career starts, with a goals-against average of 1.26 per 90 minutes and a save percentage of 70.8%. He’s notched up 13 clean sheets, a testament to his ability to marshal the defense and come up with big saves when needed. Valencia will counter with Stole Dimitrievski, a goalkeeper with 351 career stops in 130 starts, a goals-against average of 1.34, and a save percentage of 67.1%. Dimitrievski’s experience could prove vital if Betis turn up the attacking heat early on.

Midfield and forward lines will also be under the microscope. For Betis, Cucho stands out as a potential game-changer. The Colombian forward has an impressive career record, with 97 goals in 19,238 minutes and 46 assists. His average of 0.45 goals per 90 minutes underscores his consistent threat. Valencia will look to Hugo Duro to make the difference up front. The Spanish striker has scored 43 goals in 11,588 minutes, averaging 0.33 goals per 90, and has contributed eight assists. Duro’s movement and finishing could pose problems for a Betis backline that, while sturdy, has shown moments of vulnerability.

Discipline and defensive organization may also play a role. Betis have accumulated 39 yellow cards and a single red card this season, while Valencia have matched the yellow card tally but have been shown two reds. Both sides will need to keep their composure in what’s likely to be a fiercely contested encounter. Clean sheets have been hard to come by for Valencia, with just five this season (a 25% shutout rate), compared to Betis’s seven (35%).

Statistically, Betis hold a slight edge in expected goals (xG) with 29.3 compared to Valencia’s 21.9, and their expected goals against (xGA) stands at 23.7. The Green and Whites have also recorded 25 assists, good for third in Big 5 soccer, further underlining their creative prowess. Their average of 1.60 points per fixture (32 points) keeps them in the hunt for European qualification, while Valencia’s 1.0 points per match (20 points) leaves them looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

As for the bookmakers, the odds slightly favor Betis at -122, with Valencia at +102 and the total set at 3 goals. Prediction models and expert picks, including Guy Bruhn’s analysis, lean toward a Betis victory, citing their superior goal differential, attacking options, and home advantage. But as any seasoned LaLiga watcher knows, surprises are never far away—especially with players like Abde hinting at a special performance and Valencia riding a wave of recent momentum.

With the action set to unfold at La Cartuja, all eyes will be on how Betis respond after their recent setback and whether Valencia can continue their resurgence. The return of Abde, the scoring threat of Ruibal and Cucho, and the steady hands of Valles all point to a fascinating contest. As kickoff approaches, fans on both sides will be hoping their stars can deliver—and that this clash lives up to its billing as one of LaLiga’s must-watch fixtures this weekend.

One thing’s for sure: with stakes high, form lines converging, and individual brilliance ready to make the difference, Sunday’s showdown in Seville is poised to provide drama, intensity, and perhaps a few surprises—just as Abde has promised.