Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Real Betis FC - Saturday 2nd August 2025 - KO 15:00

Sunderland face Real Betis in a pre-season friendly at the Stadium of Light.
Last time out Sunderland lost at Hull and Real Betis drew at Coventry.
The Black Cats lost 2-1 at Hull with a first goal for Simon Adingra and an assist from Talbi.
New signings Granit Xhaka and Robin Roefs are expected to make an appearance at the Stadium of Light and could even feature if their visas are confirmed in time.
Sunderland have agreed a deal to sign Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea but he is unlikely to feature.
Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and Wilson Isisdor were again absent, Regis Le Bris says that Wilson could be back for this game but Rigg and Patterson need more time. Reinildo will also miss this game as he catches up on fitness.

Betis came from behind to draw 1-1 at Coventry in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night. The team from Sevilla have been training at St. Georges Park this week.
The Verdiblancos ended last season with an impressive sixth place finish in the Primera Liga while also reaching their first major European final where they faced Chelsea at the Wrocław Stadium in Poland for the Europa Conference League final.
After the departures of Cardoso and William Carvalho, the team are looking for a playmaking midfielder to partner Isco.

Regis le Bris:
“Pre-season is set to create experiences with many new players, I think this evening showed that in different phases we are getting better, we made mistakes but it’s the part of the process”
“We have to find the right balance between taking risks and playing a bit safer when it’s needed, we can speak about the first goal we conceded for example, but it’s good at this stage of the season to push a bit more and find the right balance”
We’ll have to be ready for the first round, before we have a different level of fitness, a different level of connection between players, we’ll add new players a bit later, it’s all about creating new habits and connections between players and we need time, it’s about behaviours, involvement, and about connections and new experiences, and we’ll learn.”
Manuel Pellegrini:
No tiene nada que decir

Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: Moore, Hume, Seelt, Ballard, Huggins, Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra, Talbi, Adingra, Isidor.

Subs: Noukeu, Aleksic, Roberts, Neil, Johnson, Mayenda, Abdullahi, Tutierov, H. Jones, J. Jones
Injured: O’Nien, Alese, Cirkin, Hjelde, Mundle, Patterson, Rigg,

Real Betis: Pau Lopéz, Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, Ricardo, Fornals, Mawuli, Aitor Ruibal, Lo Celso, Riquelme, Cucho.

Subs: Junior, Pablo García, Altimira, Valentín Gómez, Chimy Ávila, Bakambu, Ángel Ortiz, Morante.
Injured: Isco

My two pence:
Not sure if Xhaka or Roefs will be playing but they should make an appearance on the pitch at some stage. Betis are a decent side so I expect a tough test.

I’m going for a 2-2 draw

Live Stream:
The game will be available to stream live on safc.com, or Betis TV

Ha’way the Lads

 

Another brilliant thread mate

 

Not gonna lie, just so excited to see the work inside the stadium.

 

First chance to see this

 

Really looking forward to this, things are building up nicely.

We have a big event this weekend otherwise I'd be there, even though it's a friendly.

The whole club seems to have been lifted and it's going to be a great season imo.

 

looking forward to it and hopefully a good performance Haway The Lads

 

I’m am blessed to have been one of the generation to have seen this man play.

 

Can’t wait to get back in the SOL that cov game feels like a lifetime ago, going to feel brand new with all the work done

 

It’s pre season and I totally think RLB has it bang on, results don’t really matter it is about fitness and building connections, making sure our shape is right and the players fully understanding their roles. We have been experimenting with formations and passages of play. We have set up with offensive press at times and defensive low blocks.
This can make the team look disjointed and not fluid but in truth it is vital for preparations.
I am hoping for a bit more of a structured display with fewer subs but TBH after RLB nailed the play offs I will just trust his judgement.

 

Any update on ticket sales? Hoping a potential xhaka debut might add some good numbers

 

https://www.realbetisbalompie.es/rtvbetis/directo-tv

Link to Betis TV

 

Looks like less than 8K

 

Going to be electric

 

Great thread as always RTB.

I know sod all about Real Betis, so on that basis I'm going for a home win

 

Grew up with him and we went to school on the same bus, different schools , he had a fan club even then , couldn't see it myself , but I did see most of his games at Roker from his debut to his testamonial, and of course his legendary save at Wembley, the one and only time I have been to that venue.

 

None of my business but ...

... I'd advise everyone to take some time to sit and watch the playoffs again, even just the highlights of all three games.

Once the new season starts things may change and that moment will be lost.

 

I’ve got my ticket on my ST for this one but I can’t make it, I’m thinking of giving my dad my ticket but he doesn’t have an ST, is it still possible for him to go with my ticket?

 

Slightly off topic, but what's the crack the following weekend with 2 games one day apart? (As far as I could tell).

 

Be on the usual sources

 

Be different squads like with Gateshead & South Sheilds