Racing Santander vs Real Betis preview - Diop boost for Racing

Posted Sunday, October 30, 2011 by PA

Racing Santander were denied their first victory of the season by a Manu del Moral stoppage-time equaliser for Sevilla in midweek, but manager Hector Cuper does not want any excuses from his side when they face Real Betis this weekend.

The positive for Cuper from Tuesday night's performance was that Racing scored twice, having found the net only once in their previous seven league games.

The Argentinian coach told a pre-match press conference: "The time has come to win. I don't want excuses, distractions, that it was the last minute, nothing. We have to win and to show this on the field."

Cuper also hopes that Betis' own bad run of form could help his side.

"Both sides have pressure, Betis because they have lost five in a row and us because we haven't won yet, therefore we have to play calmly and not commit errors," Cuper added.

"I think the side that makes the fewest mistakes will win the game."

There is a huge boost for Cuper on the injury front with the news that midfielder Pape Diop is expected to be fit to play after suffering a neck injury towards the end of the Sevilla game.

However, Mamadou Kone had to be replaced at the Sanchez Pizjuan and is unlikely to start. Kennedy Bakircioglu returned to training this week but is also expected to miss out.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Betis manager Pepe Mel in recent weeks as he saw his side slip to another defeat at Espanyol on Thursday and now has a number of players out injured for the trip to Santander.

Defenders Chico and Mario are definitely out along with striker Roque Santa Cruz. Antonio Amaya is also a serious doubt, while Betis are already missing long-term casualties Momo and Alvaro Vadillo.

As a result Mel has included Alex Martinez from the Betis B team in the squad.