3/1 To Win
Wayne Rooney says Derby County’s upcoming pre-season friendly against Real Betis is another opportunity to kick on ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season.
Derby will welcome the Spanish top-flight side to Pride Park Stadium on Wednesday 28th July (1pm kick-off).
Betis finished the 2020/21 campaign in sixth place in La Liga and reached the Quarter Final stage of the Copa del Rey.
The Spanish side are managed by former Manchester City and West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini.
They ended last season with just one defeat in 16 matches, which resulted in them achieving qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
The game will be Derby’s third public pre-season friendly ahead of the new campaign, following the recent matches against Manchester United and Salford City.
Rooney believes the Spanish side will pose a good test for his Rams squad with the season-opener against Huddersfield Town at Pride Park less than two weeks away.
“It is a chance for us to work on our fitness again and push ourselves a bit further towards the first game of the season,” Rooney told RamsTV.
“We know they are good with possession and are a strong team to play against.”
The 35-year-old added: “It is a chance for us to test ourselves against a very good side and we see it as a challenge for us.”
Following the Real Betis match, Derby’s final pre-season friendly will see them head to National League side Notts County on Sunday (1pm kick-off).
