Verdict: Real Betis win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who will know the importance of claiming a Europa Conference League first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Real Betis will welcome Fiorentina to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Real Betis
Starting with the hosts, enjoying what has become a real purple patch and firing on all cylinders, Real Betis have really cemented their spot as a European dark horse. Booking their semi-final spot a fortnight ago as they collected a 3-1 aggregate win against Polish outfit Jagiellonia, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be looking to make a real statement here. Picking up some perfect momentum last time out as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp against Real Valladolid, Betis have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions. Finding a recent clinical edge in the final third and bagging eight goals in their back-to-back La Liga victories, the one-time Manchester City boss finds the mood in his camp at a real high.
Real Betis Team News
Undergoing surgery a fortnight ago after sustaining a long-term hamstring injury, Real Betis will be without former Leeds defender Diego Llorente on Thursday night. Likewise, Argentinian striker Chimy Avila remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue.
Making a sensational impact after completing a January loan switch from Manchester United, Antony will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Barcelona starlet Marc Bartra will be partnered alongside Napoli loanee Natan at the back.
Fiorentina
As for the visitors, suffering consecutive Europa Conference League heartbreak over the past two seasons, Fiorentina are desperate to go one-step further this time around. While the Viola might have only just edged past Slovenian outfit Celje a fortnight ago as they secured a 4-3 aggregate win, Raffaele Palladino’s men are enjoying their own recent flurry. Claiming consecutive 2-1 victories against Empoli and Cagliari while in Serie A action, Thursday’s guests are unbeaten in their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Currently sat outside the European spots among Italy’s elite, the former Monza boss will have a headache over his side’s defensive struggles. Pencilled in as an underdog contender when they travel to Andalusia in midweek, Fiorentina have failed to record a clean sheet in their last 12 consecutive showdowns outside of Tuscany.
Fiorentina Team News
Once again missing out against Empoli last week, Fiorentina are sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Moise Kean on Thursday night. Undergoing thigh surgery earlier in the month, the Viola have confirmed that Brazilian defender Dodo will miss the remainder of the season.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Goa will start between the sticks in Andalusia. Finding the net in both quarter-finals against Celje, Italian international Rolando Mandragora will play a key role in the middle of the park.
Real Betis vs Fiorentina Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in Andalusia will be the first time that Real Betis and Fiorentina have met in a European competition.
- Betis have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Five of Fiorentina’s last six matchups across all formats have finished with both teams finding the net.
- La Viola have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their last 12 consecutive showdowns outside of Tuscany.
- Betis have won four of their last five matchups at the Estadio Benito Villamarin across all competitions.
Conclusion
While Fiorentina might have edged past Slovenian outfit Celje a fortnight ago, La Viola have a far more challenging task on their hands here. Meeting a Real Betis squad that has suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last 13 appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s hosts will also be excited by their extended success in Andalusia. Last seen at the Estadio Benito Villamarin string their way to a 5-1 romp against Valladolid, Pellegrini’s side have won four of their previous five matchups in front of their own supporters.
Verdict: Real Betis win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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