Buzz previews Thursday’s Conference League clash between Real Betis and HJK Helsinki, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
La Liga side Real Betis will welcome Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki to the Benito Villamarin for Thursday’s Conference League clash.
Los Verdiblancos will head into the final matchday in 17th place in the league phasewhile the visitors are sitting outside the top 24 in 29th position.
Match preview
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Betis have experienced mixed fortunes in the Conference League league phase, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their matches.
Los Verdiblancos got off to an unconvincing start, losing 1-0 away to Legia Warsaw before they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Copenhagen on matchday two.
While they got a win on the board in their home clash against Celje, Betis were soon stopped in their tracks by Mlada Boleslav, giving up a narrow lead to lose 2-1 in Czechia.
After taking four points from as many games, the Andalusian side went on to claim a crucial win in last week’s trip to Moldova, with Cedric Bamboo scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Petrocub, moving Betis up to 17th spot and three points clear of 25th place.
Betis are now on the brink of securing a spot in the knockout rounds, although they are out of contention for a top-eight finish and subsequent qualification for the last 16.
Although they only need a point to guarantee a top-24 finish, Betis will fancy their chances of claiming all three points after winning three of their last four competitive games, including a 2-1 win with 10 men in Sunday’s away league match against Villarreal.
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After suffering a group stage exit last season, HJK have significant work to do if they are to avoid another early exit in the Conference League.
The Finnish side are sitting a point adrift of the qualification spots after winning one, drawing one and losing three of their five league phase matches.
Toni Korkeakunnas‘s side bounced back from a 3-0 defeat against Lugano to claim a narrow 1-0 win over Dinamo Minsk on matchday two.
However, they were unable to build upon that successful display, going on to lose back-to-back European games against Olimpija and Panathinaikos without troubling the scorers.
They did at least manage to avoid a third consecutive Conference League defeat in last week’s home clash against Molde, with Lee Erwin halving a two-goal deficit before substitute Kai Meriluoto netted a stoppage-time equaliser.
HJK know they need to claim another victory to have a realistic chance of climbing into the top 24, but that may be easier said than done, given the fact they have failed to win any of their last four competitive away games.
Real Betis Conference League form:
Real Betis form (all competitions):
HJK Helsinki Conference League form:
HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):
Team News
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Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini is expected to be without the services of Rui Silva, Hector Bellerin, William Carvalho and Nobel Mendy due to injury.
Pablo Fornals could feature in the matchday squad after returning to training following a seven-game injury absence.
Chimy Avila was shown a straight red card in the recent La Liga win over Villarreal, and with the forward suspended for Sunday’s league meeting with Rayo Vallecano, he is likely to retain his place in the starting lineup for Thursday’s home clash.
As for the visitors, Hassane Bande and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster are pushing for starting spots after featuring as half-time substitutes against Molde.
Bande could be given the chance to start on the flanks, while Lyons-Foster may line up in a back four with Giorgos Antzoulas, Daniel O’Shaughnessy and Noah Pallas.
Erwin will lead the line for the visitors, with the Scottish striker looking to add to the 11 goals he has scored since joining HJK in the summer.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Ruibal, Llorente, Nathan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Flores; Diao, Avila, Rodriguez; Lambs
HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Nijhuis; Lyons-Foster, Antzoulas, O'Shaughnessy, Pallas; Banda, Kokcu, Lingman, Kanellopoulos, Hostikka; Erwin
We say: Real Betis 2-0 HJK Helsinki
Betis will be in a confident mood after winning three of their last four matches, and we think they have quality in their squad to get the better of an HJK side that have lost their previous two away games in the league phase.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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