The hosts outplayed Diego Simeone's side for much of the clash but two big saves by Claudio Bravo to deny Angel Correa in the final stages stopped the Rojiblancos from taking all three points back to the Spanish capital.

Atletico are top of the table on 67 points, ahead of Real Madrid on 66 and Barcelona on 65, with all three sides having played 30 matches.

After Real Madrid moved top on Saturday with a 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona, Atletico could have piled more misery on for the Catalans with a win over Betis but they failed to impress.

Yannick Carraco opened the scoring for Atletico after five minutes from close range after good work by Correa.

However, former Barcelona forward Cristian Tello levelled with a good finish from the middle of the box in the 20th minute.

Betis were the more dangerous by far after the break and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a fine stop at his near post to deny Betis substitute Diego Lainez.

Atletico lost Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier to injury, joining top scorer Luis Suarez on the sidelines, and they missed the Uruguayan's clinical finishing when Correa spurned two late chances.

The leaders have won just three of their past eight league games, and dropped points against Sevilla and Getafe in recent weeks.

Valencia pulled off an impressive comeback to draw 2-2 with fifth-place Real Sociedad.

Ander Guevara and Alexander Isak's first-half strikes gave the Basques a healthy lead, with Daniel Wass pulling one back from the penalty spot for Los Che.

Defender Gabriel Paulista completed the comeback in the 73rd minute and Valencia survived the final stages with 10 men after Maxi Gomez was sent off for dissent after being booked.

Villarreal suffered a surprise 2-1 home to Osasuna. with Ante Budimir netting the winner.

Granada earned a 2-1 win at Real Valladolid to go eighth, and leave the hosts 17th, just a point above the relegation zone.

Australian Associated Press