1 week Ago
On Thursday, La Liga side Real Betis will welcome Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok to the Estadio Benito Villamarin for the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final. The hosts are competing in the last eight of UEFA competition for the first time since 1997-98, while Jagiellonia are enjoying a memorable journey in their first appearance in a European knockout stage. Betis are continuing to dream of winning their first-ever European trophy after negotiating two knockout rounds following their 15th-place finish in the league phase.
They recorded a 3-1 aggregate win over Gent in the knockout round playoff, before they saw off Vitoria Guimaraes in the last-16 despite being held to a 2-2 draw in the home leg. Los Verdiblancos cruised to a 4-0 victory in the return leg in Portugal to seal their spot in a European quarter-final for the first time since losing 5-2 on aggregate to Chelsea in the last-eight stage of the 1997-98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Manuel Pellegrini 's side will head into Thursday's fixture in a confident mood after putting together an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions and a seven-match undefeated streak in La Liga.
In fact, they recorded six consecutive league victories before they held leaders Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's away clash, which saw Natan score his first La Liga goal to cancel out Gavi 's opener, leaving Betis in sixth spot and level on points with Villarreal in fifth position. As Betis turn their focus to Conference League action, they can draw inspiration from the fact they have suffered a first-leg defeat in just three of their last 17 two-legged ties in European competition. Jagiellonia have already made history in the Conference League this season, with the Polish side competing in the knockout rounds for the very first time after finishing in ninth position in the league phase, where they missed out on a top-eight place due to goal difference.
They made light work of their maiden European knockout round tie against TSC, recording 3-1 victories in home and away legs to set up a last-16 clash with Cercle Brugge. After claiming a 3-0 win in the first leg against 10-man Cercle, Jagiellonia were given a scare in the away leg when they conceded two goals in 50 minutes. However, they ultimately stood firm for the remainder of the contest to advance to the quarter-finals, with Adrian Siemieniec 's side now set to battle Betis for the right to face either Celje or Fiorentina in the final four.
Since their trip to Belgium, Jagiellonia have gone on to win two of their next four competitive matches (D1, L1), including a narrow 1-0 victory over Wisla Krakow earlier this month to win the Polish Super Cup for just the second time in the club's history. Thursday's visitors have been defeated in two of their last three away games in the Conference League, although they have never lost an away first leg in any of their previous two-legged European ties (W4, D1). Betis may have to cope without the services of winger Abde Ezzalzouli , who has missed the last two matches with an ankle problem.
Midfielder Marc Roca is closing in on a return to action, although it is unclear whether he is ready to feature in a matchday squad for the first time since February. Playmaker Isco will be available for selection after being suspended for the 1-1 draw against Barcelona due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Isco should come into the lineup for the first leg, while there could also be starting spots for Francisco Vieites , Youssouf Sabaly , Diego Llorente , Ricardo Rodriguez , Jesus Rodriguez and Cedric Bakambu .
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Spanish defender Adrian Dieguz , who is continuing his rehabilitation from a knee injury. Michal Sacek remains a major doubt for the trip to Andalusia, having been out of action since being forced off in the first leg of Jagiellonia's last-16 clash against TSC on February 20. Midfielder Leon Flach will be hoping to earn a recall after dropping down to the bench for the recent league draw with Piast Gliwice.
Villar Miki and Afimico Pululu could also come back into the team to feature in a front three with Darko Churlinov . Real Betis possible starting lineup: Vieites; Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu Jagiellonia Bialystok possible starting lineup: Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Skrzypczak, Ebosse, Moutinho; Flach, Romanczuk, Imaz; Miki, Churlinov, Pululu Betis will be full of confidence after winning six of their last eight competitive matches, and we think they will continue to build momentum by making full use of home advantage in Thursday's first leg, especially as Jagiellonia have lost two of their last three European away matches. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .
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