In a few short days the final act of 2013 will draw to an end, a year that has had an epilogue to forget about. The first team is already focussing on the first match of the year, namely the away match against Valladolid on the 4th January. This match is going to be vital in the team's fight to escape relegation. Now that the players are away on holiday it is time to analyse, reflect on the errors made which have caused the team to be at the bottom of the league. Conversely, it is also time to look at the good things which need to be maximised in order to achieve the teams salvation in this league.

Consequently, the first month of 2014 will be crucial to the future of Real Betis Balompié as three of the four league matches are against direct rivals at the bottom of the league. Success would signify escaping the relegation zone. The first port of call is the José Zorrilla Stadium on Saturday 4th, followed by a home match against Club Atlético Osasuna at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. On both occasions, as they are against two teams at the bottom end of the league table, the matches will be as important as if they were finals for Garrido's team. They have no choice but to come away from these matches with points as they are currently bottom of the league.

However, the Valencian coach's disciples do not only have aspirations in the national league. The King's Cup, understood to be a parallel tournament to aid the teams development in the national league, will have the team playing the first leg of the round of 16 against Athletic Club. One week later on 15th January the second leg will be held at San Mamés and will determine if the team qualifies for the next round in this tournament. From there on there is 'bad' news, as the number of matches for the remainder of the month then increases. If the team eliminates Athletic Club Bilbao, Betis will have two more matches on 22nd and 29th January, corresponding to the Quarter finals of the King's Cup.

The pinnacle of the league matches in January will be on 18th with the match against Real Madrid who, despite their superiority as manifested by their classification in the league table, lost in their visit to Heliopolis last season 1-0. The stifling first month of 2014 with a minimum of six matches, but could be eight if Betis continues in the King's Cup, will finalise on 25th or 26th in the Balaídos Stadium playing against Real Club Celta de Vigo, another enemy in the battle for survival in the league.

Without a doubt these matches will shape the Green-and-White future and should initiate the teams reaction to the present situation, like steps on a complicated staircase that will see them climb out of the bottom spot in the league. To this end union in the Benito Villamarín Stadium will be primordial, the sole aim is get points for the league table in the home matches against direct rivals to escape from the relegation zone. Once this demanding month is over we shall the see the confidence that comes from having obtained as many points as possible. There is no margin for error in this supremely transcendental month.