Real Betis vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is the second of the three European finals this month as Wroclaw welcomes both Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea for the final of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Real Betis Preview: Brilliant year for Betis
Manuel Pellegrini was under pressure at Real Betis at the turn of the year but the Andalusians enjoyed an impressive winter transfer window and they have since propelled themselves to sixth in La Liga, albeit disappointed to have not stolen fifth spot from Villarreal.
They come into this one on the back of finishing their domestic campaign without a victory in their final four matches. They shared a 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Benito Villamarin in their final game of the campaign at the weekend.
Chelsea Preview: Finishing the season well
Enzo Maresca has also come under a lot of scrutiny at Chelsea this season but the former Leicester City boss has, almost somehow, squeezed the Blues into a top five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification in the Premier League.
They defeated fellow top five contenders Nottingham Forest by a goal to nil at the City Ground on the final day of the campaign the other day thanks to a second-half winner scored by Levi Colwill. They have won seven of their last eight matches across all competitions.
Real Betis Team News: Midfield injuries
In that final game against Valencia, Betis suffered some key injury blows as both Johnny Cardoso and Giovani Lo Celso missed out. Key striker Cucho Hernandez has been one of those brilliant additions in January but he is not a part of their UEFA Europa Conference League squad.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Aitor Ruibal, Marc Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Pablo Fornals, Sergi Altimira; Antony, Isco, Abde Ez; Bakambu
Unavailable: Fran Vieites (Injured), Diego Llorente (Injured), Sabaly (Injured), Hector Bellerin (Injured), Cardoso (Injured), Marc Roca (Injured), Chimy Avila (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea Team News: Full strength
Cole Palmer hasn’t played a single minute in this competition. Enzo Maresca has, though, rotated so heavily and frequently that even the idea that it would be unfair to drop players that have been key in Europe for this game doesn’t really exist. That would suggest that going back to full strength for the final seems likely.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Unavailable: Fofana (Injured), Anselmino (Injured), Nkunku (Injured), Kellyman (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable:
Key Stats
- Coming soon
Real Betis vs Chelsea Prediction
Despite the fact that Chelsea have finished strongly in terms of their results, their performances have remained unconvincing. There is a feeling that as Maresca gets to grips with his squad, their standards have dropped as he tries to implement a slower and more deliberate style without the necessary efficiency in the final third. That allows Betis a massive opportunity to win their first ever European trophy and the form of the likes of Antony and Isco will provide a real threat to the Blues’ defence. Spanish teams rarely lose European finals, unless they are facing another Spanish club like Atletico Madrid losing to Real Madrid twice in the UEFA Champions League final in 2014 and 2016. Siding with Betis may well be a good value bet for this one in Poland.
Real Betis vs Chelsea Tip: Double chance – Real Betis to win or draw
