Only six points separate the two teams, with Betis already occupying a Europa League spot, and while Rayo Vallecano are currently 11th, a win here would propel them up into seventh place and in the driving seat for Europa Conference League qualification.

The team coach by Manuel Pellegrini won only one of their six games in April (3-1 against Espanyol), but after ending the month with just one point from three outings, they kickstarted May with an impressive 1-0 success in Bilbao.

That recent dip in form cost Betis any lingering hopes of a Champions League spot, but they remain in a strong position for Europa League football. After a poor run of form brought just two points from five home games either side of the World Cup break, Betis have lost only one of their last six at Estadio Benito Villamarin (2-0 to Cadiz), and are unbeaten in their last four home encounters with Vallecano, winning the last two.

Suggested bet: Real Betis win to nil

They have also failed to find the back of the net in three of the last five home games, and since the beginning of March, only Espanyol (three) and Bilbao (two) have scored fewer home league goals than Betis' four. That said, those results include goalless draws with high-flying Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, both of which could be considered hard-earned points. After an eight-game winless run, Rayo Vallecano have continued to be inconsistent, somehow managing to follow a shock 2-1 home win against champions Barcelona with a dismal 4-0 defeat at rock-bottom Elche just three days later. They have won their last three home games by the same 2-1 scoreline, but are winless on their travels since January, picking up just two drawn points from their last six away games, despite facing just one top ten team in that run.

• Sergiu Baltuta provides football tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr

The article La Liga preview and tips: Real Betis can cement Europa League spot against Rayo Vallecano appeared first on Planetsport.com.