*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
Form & Road to the Final
Real Betis
The Andalusians have suffered stuttering form ahead of this final, failing to win any of their last five official matches. All the same, their Conference League journey has been eventful. Starting from the play-off round thanks to a 6th-place La Liga finish last season, they overcame Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih comfortably (3-0 & 2-0).
In the group stage, Betis underperformed—despite a relatively soft draw—managing just 10 points from six games. Highlights included narrow wins over HJK and Petrocub, a draw against Copenhagen, and losses to Legia Warsaw and Mlada Boleslav.
But the knockout stages saw a different Betis:
- Round of 16: Beat Gent
- Quarter-finals: Dispatched Vitoria Guimarães 6-2
- Semi-finals: Edged past Fiorentina 3-2 on aggregate, with Abde Ezzalzouli scoring the extra-time winner
Key players include:
- Isco (12 goals, 10 assists in all competitions despite missing half the season)
- Cedric Bakambu, Conference League’s second-top scorer (7 goals)
Injuries: Ávila, Bellerín, Diego Llorente, and Marc Roca are ruled out; Lo Celso, Vieites, and Sabaly are doubtful.
Chelsea
The Blues return to a European final for the first time since winning the 2021 Champions League against Manchester City. Their Conference League campaign began with a shaky win over Servette (3-2 aggregate), but they’ve been dominant ever since.
- Group stage: 6 wins from 6, 26 goals scored, only 5 conceded
- Knockouts:
- Beat Copenhagen (3-1 agg)
- Overcame Legia Warsaw despite an away loss (4-2 agg)
- Breezed past Djurgården (5-1 agg)
- Marc Guiu, a 19-year-old striker signed from Barcelona, has netted 6 goals, making him the team’s top scorer in the tournament.
- Cole Palmer (15 goals, 9 assists in all competitions) has become a key figure for Maresca’s side, especially in the knockout rounds.
Injuries: Wesley Fofana, David Fofana, and Omari Kellyman are out; Nkunku and Marc Guiu are doubtful.
Betting Suggestions (Based on Form & Stats)
- 1. Chelsea to Win in 90 Minutes – Odds likely to be modest, but their superior quality and form justify the bet.
- 2. Over 2.5 Goals – Chelsea games in the tournament have averaged over 4 goals.
- 3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS: Yes) – Betis have attacking threats in Isco and Bakambu, while their defence has looked shaky.
- 4. Cedric Bakambu to Score Anytime – With 7 goals, and chasing the golden boot, he’s a solid value pick.
- 5. Marc Guiu to Score or Assist – Riskier due to injury doubts, but could offer great odds if starting.
- 6. Correct Score: Chelsea 3-1 Real Betis – A plausible outcome based on Chelsea’s scoring pattern and Betis’s defensive lapses.