As the 2025-2026 La Liga season begins to take form, Matchday 4 serves up two exciting matches that will have a big effect on early-season position. Saturday, September 20th, we'll start in Seville with a highly anticipated fixture between a strong Real Betis side and a disappointing Real Sociedad. Secondly, we'll look at a pressure-filled clash at Estadi Montilivi between an undefeated Girona and a struggling Levante side.

These games are not so much a chase for three points; they are a battle of will, a war of strategy, and a chance for teams to build on positive beginnings or launch an early-season recovery. The result of these games is guaranteed to set the tone for the weeks to come in Spanish football's elite league.

• Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 17:00 UTC

• Venue: Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Seville

• Competition: La Liga (Matchday 4)

Real Betis, with the shrewd guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, has enjoyed a good, if not thrilling, start to their La Liga season. They opened their campaign with an important 1-0 win away at Deportivo Alavés, demonstrating their capacity to win ugly at home. Their next two games were a 1-1 draw versus Celta de Vigo and a 2-1 loss against Athletic Bilbao. The irregular sequence puts them mid-table, but generally their form is fine. What particularly impresses are their home form; Real Betis have been on an unbeaten sequence in their last 15 league games at home, which is the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, experienced an inconsistent start to the season. They began with a 1-1 draw against Valencia and a 2-2 draw with Espanyol, but their campaign was interrupted by a 1-0 loss at the hands of Real Oviedo and a 2-1 loss against Real Madrid. This string of poor performances, their last five games overall competitions (0 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses), has placed them in the lower half of the table. Their offense has been inconsistent, and their defense has been leaky. This is a very critical game for them to turn around their season and get a badly needed win.

The all-time duel between Real Sociedad and Real Betis has been a highly competitive one predominantly.

Despite Real Sociedad's overall superiority, Betis has had a surprisingly good spell of form over the last few seasons and have taken their last two games. Such history leads one to expect another tight, closely fought game with both teams well able to take all three points.

Real Betis face a serious dilemma with a growing injury list which could hinder their attack and midfield. Playmaker Isco is the biggest absentee due to a fibula fracture and will be out for some time. This will test the depth of their squad. On the plus side, Real Sociedad will have three of its key players back following injury. Luka Sučić and Brais Méndez will return in midfield, as will striker Umar Sadiq. This will be a massive confidence boost to their squad and their chances of getting a win.

The greatest tactical showdown will most definitely be Betis' offense against Real Sociedad's defense. Under Manuel Pellegrini, Betis is a well-rounded team who can both score and defend. Their attack up front, led by the likes of Willian José and Nabil Fekir, will attempt to take advantage of a porous Real Sociedad defense. For Real Sociedad, having its top players in the midfield and attack available will be a massive morale boost. They will try to use their speed and talent to make use of spaces provided by Betis' full backs. The midfield battle will be crucial, and the side that controls the middle of the park will determine the rhythm of the game.

• Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 12:00 UTC

• Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona

• Competition: La Liga (Matchday 4)

Feel of last campaign Girona have made a nightmare beginning to their campaign, sitting bottom of the table after three straight losses, including a 5-0 home beating by Villarreal and a 2-0 loss at Sevilla. Their poor form has put under huge pressure new boss Andoni Iraola, and the team are badly in need of a win.

Levante, though, also got off to a poor start with two losses and a draw. They lost their last game 2-0 against Elche, and they are also not clicking. Levante have not been defending or scoring well, and they are another team that needs a win to save their season. This is a crucial game for both teams, as defeat would dig them deeper into the hole.

The recent history of rivalry between Levante and Girona has been largely a close battle. Their 12 all-time league meetings feature Levante with a narrow edge of 5 wins to 2 wins of Girona, with 5 draws.

The recent trend has changed, and Girona won their latest encounter 3-1. However, the past five matches have seen two wins for Levante, three draws, and one win for Girona, which shows that this battle is far from over.

Girona is also missing their main players, Abel Ruiz and Viktor Tsygankov, due to injury. Both their win and attack hopes will be significantly compromised by their absence. Levante has no new injury concerns and will probably play in the same lineup as the one that lost to Elche.

This game will be a battle between two sides in desperate need of a win. Girona, under the new manager Andoni Iraola, will try to play an attacking possession-style football. They will try to control the game through their midfielders and feed their forwards. Levante will likely park the bus and ruin Girona's party. They will be looking to absorb pressure and then use the pace of their wingers to exploit any space left by Girona's defense.

Real Betis vs. Real Sociedad

Girona vs. Levante

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This one's a tricky one to forecast, given both teams' recent form. Betis' return home and their solid defense give them an edge, but Real Sociedad's need for a victory and the return of their star players will see them as a tricky outfit. We expect a hard match, but Betis' home form should be enough to carry them through to triumph.

Final Score Prediction: Real Betis 2 - 1 Real Sociedad

This is a two-horse race between two teams desperate for a win. Girona have the advantage of home soil and their attacking prowess, but Levante's defense has been solid, and they will be a difficult team to break down. We expect a close game, but Girona's need to claim their first victory of the season will be the difference.

• Final Score Prediction: Girona 1 - 0 Levante

Both of these La Liga games will have huge ramifications for the two teams' seasons. A victory for Betis would put them solidly in the top half of the table, while three points for Girona would be a huge psychological lift and greatly needed boost. It is set to be a day of drama and drama-filled high-stakes action and world-class football.