Real Betis vs Malaga preview - Mel hails Betis fans

Posted Saturday, November 05, 2011 by PA

Real Betis coach Pepe Mel is confident his team have not lost the backing of their fans despite a run of six successive defeats in the Primera Division.

The Andalusian club have slipped to 12th in the table as a result of their dismal run of form, and could be forgiven for being a little low on confidence ahead of the visit of Malaga.

Yet Mel believes they will quickly get back to winning ways as long as the supporters remain on side.

"We are convinced about what we do and will go out to win the game," he told www.realbetisbalompie.es.

"One thing that is not in doubt is the support we have. They will be with us from the start.

"The displays of affection on the street from everyone is enormous.

"The result is in our hands and we will put everything into getting a victory."

However, Mel is aware Malaga will be no pushovers at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

"Our opponents have been strengthened with a lot of money spent over the summer as they aim to be in Europe next season," he said.

"They have players who have been champions of Europe and the world, and are an important team in the league."

Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga lie sixth in the table following a 2-1 victory over Espanyol last time out.

That result ended a run of three successive defeats, and winger Joaquin - a former Betis favourite earlier in his career - hopes it will be the start of a good patch of form for Malaga.

"When a team wins after three defeats, morale changes," he said on www.malagacf.es.

"Now we have a renewed optimism for the next match against Betis. We are back in the Europa League positions and we must continue moving up.

"Betis are a team that are playing some good football, although they're in the middle of a dip.

"Such consecutive defeats do get you down, but they will be a tough rival, they're a serious squad and with a lot of force."