Preview: Real Betis vs FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Betis will look to maintain their unbeaten record in the Europa League when they face FC Utrecht in Thursday’s clash at La Cartuja.

As for the Dutch visitors, they will travel to Spain with hopes of claiming their first win of the 2025-26 League Phase.

Match preview

Last season’s Conference League runners-up Real Betis are sitting in ninth spot in the Europa League table after collecting eight points from their opening four matches.

After starting with a draw against Nottingham Forest, Los Verdiblancos went on to beat Ludogorets in Bulgaria before playing out a goalless affair with Genk in Belgium.

Manuel Pellegrini’s charges claimed their second win of the League Phase in their most recent European outing against Lyon earlier this month, with Abde Ezzalzouli and Antony netting in a 2-0 success at La Cartuja, leaving Betis just outside the top eight.

The Andalusian side will be frustrated with the fact that they have failed to win since that result, having seen their last two league games produce 1-1 scorelines against Valencia and Girona.

Betis, who are in fifth spot in La Liga, are at least unbeaten in five competitive matches, although they will be desperate to return to winning ways on Thursday to build momentum ahead of Sunday’s derby with Sevilla.

Los Verdiblancos have won four of their last seven matches at the temporary home of La Cartuja, including two wins in their previous three home outings.

Utrecht have found life difficult in their first appearance in a European main draw since featuring in the 2010-11 Europa League group stage.

The Dutch side are one of five teams yet to win in the League Phase this season, having taken just one point from their opening four matches.

They started the League Phase with three consecutive defeats against Lyon, Brann and Freiburg, before they finally got on the board with a 1-1 home draw against Porto.

As a result of their struggles, Utrecht are sitting three points adrift of the top 24 with four games to play in the League Phase.

Having scored just once in their opening four Europa League matches, Utrecht need to improve in the final third if they are to have any hope of progressing from a European group stage/League Phase for the first time in their history.

Ron Jans's side may be unbeaten in four competitive matches, but they will be concerned by the fact that they have lost five of their previous six away games in all competitions.

Real Betis Europa League form:

D W D W

Real Betis form (all competitions):

L W W W D D

FC Utrecht Europa League form:

L L L D

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

W L W D W D

Team News

Betis right-back Hector Bellerin will be unavailable for selection after sustaining a muscle injury in Sunday's home league outing.

There are also doubts surrounding the availability of goalkeeper Pau Lopez and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso due to injury concerns.

Antony will miss Sunday's derby after being sent off in the closing stages of the draw with Girona, but he will be free to start on the right flank in Thursday's European fixture.

As for the visitors, defender Niklas Vesterlund remains on the sidelines, having been out of action since the start of October due to a knee injury.

Michael Brouwer will deputise in the absence of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, who is suspended after being sent off in the draw with Porto earlier this month.

Jans is likely to keep changes to a minimum, although Adrian Blake is pushing for a recall after dropping down to the bench at the weekend.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Valles; Ruibal, Llorente, Natan, Gomez; Fornals, Amrabat, Roca; Antony, Ezzalzouli, Bakambu

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Brouwer; Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani; Engwanda, Zechiel; Rodriguez, De Wit, Blake; Haller

We say: Real Betis 3-1 FC Utrecht

Utrecht have lost five of their last six competitive away matches, and we think that their struggles away from home will continue when they face a Betis side that are yet to lose in this season's Europa League.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.