Valencia CF vs Real Betis

Valencia host Betis at Mestalla in round two of the new La Liga season, and it already carries weight. Betis arrive as a genuine heavyweight after finishing 5th last term and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 21 years, while Valencia, coming off a disappointing 16th-place finish, are eager for a fresh start under Carlos Corberán. Both sides are still finding rhythm in preseason. Valencia's friendlies have been mixed, including a draw at Stoke City and results against lower-division sides, while Manuel Pellegrini's Betis tested themselves against Arsenal, Bournemouth and Inter. Watch Antony, Betis's standout performer last season, alongside captain Isco in midfield. For Valencia, Hugo Duro led the scoring charts and Pepelu anchors midfield. The rivalry is tight too, with Valencia holding just a slim edge over Betis across more than 40 meetings since 2003. Our prediction: 1-1