Real Betis and Real Sociedad begin their 2026-27 La Liga campaigns at Estadio de La Cartuja on Friday evening. Betis enter the new season after finishing fifth and securing Champions League football, while Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad will be looking for a significant improvement after ending a disappointing league campaign in 10th place.

Real Betis

Real Betis enjoyed another impressive season under Manuel Pellegrini, finishing fifth in La Liga and six points clear of Celta Vigo to secure a place in the Champions League league phase.

Their preparations for the new campaign produced several encouraging results. Betis recorded friendly victories over Lyon, Almería and Premier League champions Arsenal before concluding their schedule with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan.

Transfer activity has been relatively limited, with Facundo Bernal, Fran García and Diego Conde the three additions so far. Sergi Altimira has been the most significant departure, although further movement is possible before the transfer window closes.

Pellegrini nevertheless retains plenty of attacking quality. Antony and Pablo Fornals should feature prominently on Friday, while Rodrigo Riquelme is an option on the left.

Fran García and Bernal could both make their competitive debuts, although Betis have several availability concerns. Conde and Aitor Ruibal are ruled out through injury, while Gonzalo Petit and Giovani Lo Celso face late fitness tests.

Recent meetings with Friday’s opponents also provide encouragement. Betis are unbeaten in their last three league matches against Real Sociedad, collecting seven points during that sequence, including a 2-2 draw when the clubs last met towards the end of last season.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey triumph ensured that last season ended with silverware and European qualification, but their league performance fell well below expectations.

La Real finished 10th, and Pellegrino Matarazzo will be looking for a much stronger challenge in La Liga this time around.

Their summer preparations have done little to generate momentum. Real Sociedad lost four of seven friendlies and arrive in Seville following three consecutive defeats, the latest a 3-1 loss against Chelsea.

The lack of transfer activity is another concern. Real Sociedad are yet to make a signing this summer, leaving Matarazzo largely dependent on the squad that struggled for consistency during the previous league campaign.

Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea are expected to provide much of the attacking threat at La Cartuja. Mikel Oyarzabal returned from World Cup duty to feature against Chelsea, but his limited pre-season minutes mean that he could initially be kept among the substitutes.

Álvaro Odriozola remains sidelined with a long-term injury, while Gonçalo Guedes is also a major doubt.

There is plenty of quality within the Sociedad squad, but finding greater consistency will be essential if they are to move back towards the European places through their league position this season.

Verdict

An opening fixture between two European qualifiers presents an immediate test for both teams, but Betis appear better prepared for the new campaign.

Pellegrini’s side enjoyed the stronger pre-season, have reinforced several areas of their squad and have taken seven points from their last three league meetings with Real Sociedad.

La Real remain capable of causing problems through Kubo and Barrenetxea, but their lack of summer additions and three successive pre-season defeats are difficult to ignore. With home advantage also in their favour, Betis should have enough to start the season with three points.

Tip

Real Betis to win.