Buzz previews Thursday’s Conference League clash between Mlada Boleslav and Real Betis, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Real Betis will travel to Czechia for Thursday’s Conference League encounter against Young Boleslav at the Lokotrans Arena.
The Spanish side are in 18th place with four points to their name, while the hosts are down in 33rd position after failing to win any of their three matches in the league phase.
Match preview
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Mlada Boleslav are competing in the main draw of a European competition for the first time since they appeared in the UEFA Cup group stage in 2007-08.
They may have got the better of Paks in the playoff round, but Mlada Boleslav have struggled to replicate that success in the main draw, losing each of their opening three games in the league phase.
Andreas Brannstrom‘s side were unable to trouble the scorers in defeats to Noah and Lugano, before they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss in their away clash with Vitoria Guimaraes earlier this month.
As one of four teams yet to pick up a point in the main draw, Mlada Boleslav have significant work to do in their final three league phase games against Betis, Jagiellonia Bialystok and Molde if they are to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Unfortunately for the hosts, they have failed to win any of their previous seven home competitive matches (D5, L2) since they eased to a 4-0 league win over Ceske Budejovice in August.
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Betis experienced a shaky start to the league phase, losing 1-0 to Legia Warsaw in Poland before playing out a 1-1 home draw with Copenhagen.
After they failed to win either of their first two matches, Los Verdiblancos would have been delighted to claim a narrow 2-1 win in their most recent European outing against Celje, especially as they secured all three points in dramatic fashion.
They looked set to share the spoils when NATHAN saw his opener cancelled out by Juanjo Nietobut there proved to be one final moment of drama, as It’s John netted a 94th-minute winner to secure Betis’ first-ever win in the Conference League main draw.
Unfortunately for Betis, they have failed to pick up another win since that result, drawing 2-2 in a home game against Celta Vigo before falling to a 4-2 defeat in Saturday’s away meeting with Valencia, leaving them in ninth place in La Liga.
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side look to bounce back with a win on Thursday, but that may be easier said than because Betis have won just three of their 10 competitive away games this season (D3, L4).
Mlada Boleslav Conference League form:
Mlada Boleslav form (all competitions):
Real Betis Conference League form:
Real Betis form (all competitions):
Team News
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The hosts are expected to be without the services of Lukas Masekwho has been forced to miss the last five matches due to injury.
Benson Sakala could return to Mlada Boleslav midfield after dropping down to the bench for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Slovacko.
Matyas Vojta featured as a half-time substitute on matchday three against Guimaraes, and he could now be given the chance to make the first European start of his career.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Johnny Cardoso, Marc Roca, William Carvalho, Pablo Fornals, Nobel Mendy and Hector Bellerin.
Isco is starting to work with his teammates following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but while he is making progress, the playmaker is not ready to return to first-team action.
Pellegrini is set to bring a number of fresh legs into the side, which could see Adrian, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mateo Flores, Chimy Avila and Cedric Bamboo brought into the team for Thursday’s away fixture.
Mlada Boleslav possible starting lineup:
He stuttered; Kral, Suchy, Kralik; Cube, Sakala, Oydra, Ladra, Fulnek; Cut it out, Vojta
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Nathan, Rodriguez; Diao, Altimira, Flores, Ezzalzouli; Avila, Bakambu
We say: Mlada Boleslav 1-2 Real Betis
Betis may have only won three of their 10 away matches this season, but we think Thursday’s match offers the opportunity for them to claim maximum points, with Mlada Boleslav struggling for confidence on home turf after failing to win any of their previous seven matches in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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