Deportivo La Coruña host Real Betis at the Estadio Riazor on 20 September 2026, a Matchday 7 fixture pitting a surprise mid table outfit against a side sitting third in La Liga with 15 points. Promoted after finishing second in the Segunda the previous season, Deportivo sit seventh with nine points from six games. Betis arrive on the back of a 1-0 win over Getafe and will look to keep pace with the top two under Manuel Pellegrini.
Antonio Hidalgo took charge of Deportivo on 1 July 2025, replacing Óscar Gilsanz, while Pellegrini has been at Betis since August 2020, with the two having no prior competitive meetings. Deportivo's recent results read L D W W D, their most recent outing a 0-1 home defeat to Sevilla on 16 September, whereas Betis have recorded W W W W L, their latest result a narrow 1-0 away victory at Getafe on 17 September courtesy of a goal from Abde Ezzalzouli.
Deportivo will be without Angeliño, suspended after receiving a red card against Sevilla and Noé, out with an ankle injury, which removes a wing back option and defensive cover and forces Hidalgo to adjust his 4-4-2 shape. Betis face uncertainty over Diego Llorente, who is a doubt with injury, while Aitor Ruibal is out with a meniscus problem and Héctor Bellerín is ruled out with a calf injury. Losing two full backs and a centre back limits Pellegrini's defensive rotation and could affect how his side builds from the back.
Deportivo's wing back role becomes a vulnerability without Angeliño, likely requiring a more cautious full back to tuck in and protect the centre. Aubameyang's movement in behind is their primary way of relieving pressure, with Hernández offering directness from wide. Noé's absence further thins the defensive options, meaning a high press from Betis could expose gaps and leave the back line stretched in transition.
Betis line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Isco operating in the half spaces behind Deportivo's midfield block, which is where Betis are likely to find the gaps. Antony, starting wide, is Betis's direct option in behind, while Abde Ezzalzouli, whose goal beat Getafe last week, gives Betis a third attacking option capable of finishing. The absences of Llorente, Ruibal and Bellerín force Betis to rely on less experienced cover at the back, leaving Aubameyang room to run in behind a reshuffled centre back pairing.
The most interesting individual contest is Aubameyang against Betis's central defenders, where his movement could create space for Hernández to exploit. Isco's ability to drop between the lines will also test Deportivo's midfield organisation, especially if the home side's wing backs are pinned back. Deportivo lose their defensive width and a reliable starter, forcing them toward a compact shape that leans on set pieces, whereas Betis lose continuity at the back and may see Pellegrini keep an extra midfielder for protection rather than pushing his full backs high.
The sides have met roughly eight times with the most recent encounter coming in 2018, which leaves the head-to-head record with limited bearing on what follows. Deportivo's set piece organisation offers a clearer route back into the game, particularly with Aubameyang's aerial presence and Hernández's delivery, so Betis must stay disciplined during dead balls given that their less experienced defensive cover could create marking confusion. Momentum favours Betis after four wins in five but Deportivo's nine points from six games suggest they have already frustrated comparable opposition and their home crowd will back them to do the same here.
We are backing a 1-2 Betis win. Isco operating against a midfield covering extra defensive duties and Antony going up against a reshuffled back line, gives Betis enough to find a goal and whether they do so before Deportivo's set piece threat materialises is where the game will be decided. Deportivo will cause problems through Aubameyang's pace and Hernández's dribbling but losing Angeliño and Noé limits their ability to sustain pressure. With Deportivo likely to sit deep to protect their depleted defence, this looks like a game settled by a moment of individual quality rather than sustained pressure.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
