Real Betis will welcome Utrecht to Estadio de La Cartuja in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Betis are unbeaten in four games in the competition, while the visitors are winless, suffering three defeats.
Betis are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions. They were held to a second consecutive 1-1 draw in La Liga last week against Girona. Valentín Gómez scored a 75th-minute equalizer, thanks to Isco's assist.
Utreg are also unbeaten in their last four games. They resumed their Eredivisie campaign after the international break with a 1-1 away draw against Telstar. Can Bozdoğan opened his goalscoring account for the season, bagging a stoppage-time equalizer.
Betis defeated Lyon 2-0 in the Europa League earlier this month, while Utrecht played out a 1-1 draw against Porto.
Real Betis vs Utrecht Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- Betis have faced Dutch teams four times, recording two wins.
- Utrecht have lost their three games against Spanish teams thus far.
- Utreg have the worst attacking record in the Europa League, scoring just once.
- Real Betis have the joint-best defensive record, conceding just two goals.
- Utrecht are winless in their last six away games in all competitions, suffering five defeats.
- Betis have suffered just one loss in all competitions since August, with that defeat registered at home.
- The visitors have scored just one goal in three meetings against Spanish teams.
- Utreg are winless in their last 10 league/group phase games in the Europa League.
- The hosts have kept three clean sheets in their last six games.
Real Betis vs Utrecht Prediction
Los Verdiblancos are unbeaten in their last four games, scoring seven goals while keeping two clean sheets. They have scored two goals apiece in three of their last four games in the Europa League this season.
Manuel Pellegrini will be without Héctor Bellerín, Pau López, and Giovani Lo Celso due to injuries, while Cédrick Bakambu is out with a fever.
Utreg have scored one goal apiece in four of their last five games in all competitions. They have lost their two away games in the Europa League this season without scoring, which is a cause for concern.
Vasilis Barkas was sent off against Porto earlier this month and will serve a suspension. Michael Brouwer will likely get the nod to start.
Betis have a good home record in the Europa League, and considering their recent defensive form, we back them to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Real Betis 2-1 Utrecht
Real Betis vs Utrecht Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Real Betis to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes
Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes