The Daily Star Ireland
Last season’s Europa Conference League finalists, Real Betis, step onto the bigger European stage this year with ambitions to prove themselves among stronger opposition. Under Manuel Pellegrini, Los Verdiblancos have shown flashes of quality but remain inconsistent, particularly in La Liga.
Early results highlight their shaky start: a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo, a 2-2 stalemate against Levante, and a narrow 1-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. With just one victory from their opening four matches, Betis sit mid-table in 10th, needing greater stability before European nights begin to test them further.
For Nottingham Forest, the trip to Spain is a symbolic return to continental football after a 30-year absence. Their last European journey ended in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, and their comeback was made possible by a strong seventh-place Premier League finish last season. Yet their momentum has quickly stalled. Early-season struggles include a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, heavy defeats to West Ham (0-3) and Arsenal (0-3), and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Swansea City in a 3-2 thriller. With Nuno Espírito Santo dismissed at the start of the month, new coach Ange Postecoglou faces the task of reshaping Forest’s identity while steadying their league form.
Team News and Tactical Outlook
Betis enter the clash without several key figures. Creative force Isco remains sidelined, while Marc Bartra and Rodríguez are unlikely to feature due to fitness issues. The good news for Pellegrini is the return of Ruibal, already on the scoresheet this season, and the reintroduction of Antony. The Brazilian forward, who impressed on loan in the second half of last season, is back permanently but still hunting his first goal of the campaign. Lo Celso, Fornals, and Cucho Hernández have already found the net, while veteran defender Llorente is listed for the group stage but has yet to regain match sharpness.
Forest also face selection headaches. New signings Zinchenko and Hutchinson were not registered for the Europa League squad, and Ola Aina plus Domínguez remain unavailable due to injuries. Central defender Murillo is a doubt, leaving Forest’s backline short on stability. On the attacking side, Ndoye and Hudson-Odoi have provided flashes of creativity with a goal each, while Chris Wood leads their scoring chart with two goals. Summer arrivals Arnaud Kalimuendo (from Rennes) and Dilane Bakwa (formerly of Strasbourg) are still settling into the squad.
Tactically, Betis will likely dominate possession, probing patiently through their midfield trio, while Forest look to strike on the counter. With Antony’s pace and Fornals’ creativity, Betis can stretch Forest’s vulnerable defense, though the English side may find opportunities through direct play to Wood.
Prediction
Despite Forest’s historical return to European competition, their recent dip in form and defensive issues make them underdogs in Seville. Betis, while not flawless, boast a stronger home record and greater European experience. Expect Nottingham to fight with determination, but Pellegrini’s men should edge the contest with their superior structure and individual quality.
Betis’ consistency at home, where they have collected 14 wins from 19 matches and scored 46 goals, suggests they will have enough to overcome Forest’s resistance and open their Europa League campaign on the right foot.
Prediction: Real Betis 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest
