With Isco suspended, the door to starting against Osasuna opens up for Nabil Fekir at Betis. The Frenchman, due to his inconsistent performances and Isco’s return to the team after injury, has found himself on the bench lately.
For the upcoming match at El Sadar, Fekir seems likely to be in the starting lineup for another game in Betis’ league campaign without their star player.
As per Diario de Sevilla, Betis’ record in the league without Isco stands at two wins (0-2 against Cádiz and 3-1 against Athletic Bilbao), two draws (1-1 against Girona at home and 0-0 against Alavés at home) and two losses (2-1 against Atlético at the Metropolitano and 2-3 at home against Villarreal).
Meanwhile, Fekir’s attacking output this season has been relatively poor, consisting of one goal and two assists from 15 games, most of which came from the bench.
Isco has missed six league matches, one due to suspension and five due to injury, in his first season with Betis. Manager Manuel Pellegrini has reiterated his intention to field both Isco and Fekir together when possible, emphasizing their importance to the team.
Pellegrini also expressed his desire to retain Fekir for the next season, acknowledging the difficulty of finding replacements for him and Isco in the current market. He believes both players are indispensable due to their high market value and the quality they bring to the team.
Despite Osasuna’s recent poor form, Pellegrini remains wary of their threat and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the upcoming match without dwelling on their opponents’ recent results.
