Real Betis and Fiorentina are set to clash on Thursday evening at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final.
The hosts are heading into this clash after triumphing 3-1 in their quarter-final clash, while the visitors are vying to reach their third successive final in this competition.
Match preview
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Real Betis had been enduring a highly inconsistent 2024-25 campaign, featuring bouncing between sixth and 12th in La Liga, before showing signs of significant improvement in recent weeks.
That resurgence, marked by just one loss in their last 13 matches across all competitions, has propelled Betis to sixth in La Liga, eight points clear of seventh-placed Celta Vigo and just one point outside of the top five, while also seeing them secure a spot in the Conference League semi-finals.
Given Manuel Pellegrini's side were only able to achieve a 15th-placed finish in the League Phase of the competition, the manager will be delighted in their efforts to reach this stage, and they will now be aiming on securing a major European trophy for the first time in their history.
Real Betis defeated Gent 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout playoff round, Vitoria de Guimaraes 6-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 and Jagiellonia Bialystok 3-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, leaving this matchup against Fiorentina as undoubtedly their toughest test on their route to the final.
While the hosts will be full of belief given their recent results, while they also hold the home advantage, Fiorentina are one of the most experienced sides in this competition, having reached the final in each of the last two seasons.
The Violets were devastatingly defeated 2-1 by West Ham United in the final of 2022-23, conceding a 90th-minute winner from Jarrod Bowen, followed by further disappointment in 2023-24 as they lost 1-0 to Olympiacos courtesy of a 116th-minute Ayoub El Kaabi strike.
Raffaele Palladino, having been appointed in July 2024, will be determined to achieve what those before him could not - leading Fiorentina to Conference League glory this season.
Fiorentina have certainly shown their experience and quality in this competition this term, including a third-placed finish in the League Phase, while they also eliminated Panathinaikos in the round of 16 and Celje in the quarter-finals.
Those results have coincided with a run of nine matches without a defeat for the Violets, who have managed six wins and three draws in that time, leaving them in superb form coming into this clash.
However, their away results in the Conference League this term could be reason for concern, as Fiorentina have won two, drawn one and lost two on their travels in Europe.
Team News
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Real Betis are anticipated to be without Diego Llorente (muscle), Marc Roca (foot) and Ezequiel Avila (hamstring) for this match due to ongoing injury issues.
Antony has starred since his arrival on loan from Manchester United in January, contributing five goals and four assists, and the winger is expected to play alongside Isco, Jesus Rodriguez and Cedric Bakambu in attack.
As for Fiorentina, Edoardo Bove, Dodo and Andrea Colpani are unexpected to feature, while the remainder of the squad should be available for selection.
Moise Kean has been absent since participating in the second leg of their quarter-final victory over Celje, with the striker given a week in Paris to deal with personal issues, but the striker should be back in the side on Thursday.
Elsewhere, a similar defence and midfield that has often appeared for the Violets should feature in this one, including Marin Pongracic, Pietro Comuzzo and Luca Ranieri playing in front of David de Gea.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Johnny, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Pongracic, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Folorunsho, Mandragora, Cataldi, Fagioli, Gosens; Kean, Gudmundsson
We say: Real Betis 1-1 Fiorentina
Real Betis enter the clash as favourites, thanks to the quality across their squad, but Fiorentina's experience competing at this stage of the competition may give them the upper-hand.
While we do expect the hosts to dominate the ball, Fiorentina are often strongest in transitions, leading us to expect a hard-fought draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
