Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With this season’s Europa Conference League up for grabs on Wednesday night, Real Betis and Chelsea will meet at the Stadion Slaska Wroclaw.
Real Betis
Starting with Real Betis, while Los Verdiblancos might have booked their ticket to Poland earlier in the month, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have struggled to find much recent stability. Failing to pick up any real momentum last weekend as they signed off their La Liga campaign with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Valencia, the former Manchester City boss has not seen his squad win any of their previous five appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes. Slumping to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Atletico Madrid on May 18th, the Andalusia-based outfit have also shown some worrying defensive issues. Despite edging past Italian outfit Fiorentina thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win, Real Betis have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their last 11 matchups across all fronts – a run that stems back to April 10th.
Real Betis Team News
Missing out against Valencia over the weekend, Real Betis are once again sweating over the fitness of former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso on Wednesday night. Likewise, Pellegrini’s camp will be unable to call upon the likes of Marc Roca, Hector Bellerin and ex-Leeds defender Diego Llorente.
Enjoying what has been a sensational run of form after completing a January loan switch from Manchester United, Brazilian international Antony will play a leading role in Poland. Former West Ham ace Pablo Fornals will start in the middle of the park.
Chelsea
As for Chelsea, officially booking an essential Champions League return last weekend as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest, Enzo Maresca’s camp have hit top gear at a crucial time of the season. Including another 1-0 win against historic rivals Manchester United on May 16th, the former Leicester City boss has seen his squad win seven of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Booking their ticket to the Stadion Slaska Wroclaw thanks to a routine 5-1 aggregate win against Swedish outfit Djurgarden, Chelsea have also found some recent defensive steel. Travelling to Poland having recorded a clean sheet in three of their last four victories, Maresca’s side will be confident of getting their hands on a third Europa League crown on Wednesday night.
Chelsea Team News
Still dealing with a long-term hamstring injury and not making a single appearance across any format since the middle of May, French defender Wesley Fofana remains on the sidelines. However, despite serving a domestic suspension over the past fortnight, Senegal international Nicolas Jackson will return to Maresca’s squad.
While England international Cole Palmer might have notched just a single strike since January 14th, the former Manchester City ace will play a leading role. Bagging the winner against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Levi Colwill will start at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Real Betis vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- Chelsea have won seven of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
- The Blues have recorded a clean sheet in three of their last four victories.
- Real Betis have failed to win any of their previous five appearances across all fronts within 90 minutes.
- Los Verdiblancos have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their last 11 consecutive outings.
- Likewise, all of those 11 straight appearances have finished with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Conclusion
Booking a lucrative Champions League return last weekend as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest, Chelsea find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high as they head out to Poland on Wednesday night. Winning seven of their previous eight appearances across all competitions, Maresca’s side will also be excited by their recent defensive steel. Hitting top gear at a crucial time of the season, we are backing Chelsea to get their hands on a third Europa League crown at the Stadion Slaska Wroclaw.
Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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