The first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League Round of 16 between Betis (Spain) and Vitoria Guimaraes (Portugal) will take place on March 6 at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville. Betis vs. Vitoria Guimaraes: prediction, betting odds, statistics.
Betis
The Seville team finished only 15th in the overall stage, which forced them to play playoff matches. In the previous round of the tournament, the Spanish club confidently dealt with Gent, thrashing the Belgians 3-0 away, before allowing themselves to lose at home by a single goal (0-1). Notably, this century, the team has never progressed beyond the Round of 16 in any European competition.
- A maximum of three goals have been scored in Betis's last 12 Conference League matches.
- At least one team failed to score in 7 of Betis's last 10 games in this tournament.
- The Spaniards have not conceded in the first half in their last seven matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Betis (4-4-2)*
Fran Vieites – Youssouf Sabaly, Nathan, Romain Perraud, Diego Llorente – Sergi Altimira, Mateo Flores, Chimy Avila, Abde Ezzalzouli – Antony Mateus, Vitor Hugo Roque.
Forward Victor Hugo Roque is suspended, while midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Marc Roca are out due to injuries.
Vitoria Guimaraes
The Portuguese side is playing in this tournament for the third consecutive season. However, their previous two participations ended during the qualification for the main round of the Conference League. The club took advantage of the format change and, for the first time this century, reached the playoffs of a European competition. Vitoria achieved this comfortably, recording 4 wins and 2 draws in the overall stage, finishing second in the main round of the tournament. In the 2024/25 Conference League, only Chelsea finished higher without a single loss, surpassing Rui Borges's team.
- The club is unbeaten in their last 12 matches in this European competition (10 wins and 2 draws).
- Both teams scored in Vitoria's last six Conference League games.
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Vitoria's last 8 matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Vitoria Guimaraes (4-3-3)*
Bruno Varela – Jorge Fernandes, Joao Mendes, Oscar Rivas Viondi, Alberto Costa – Joao Sabino Mendes, Jorge Silva, Tiago Rafael Silva – Nuno Santos, Caio Cesar Andrade, Gustavo Cunha.
Defender Bruno Gaspar will miss the match due to injury.
Referee
Nikola Dabanovic (Montenegro)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 11%.
Match Prediction: Betis vs. Vitoria Guimaraes
The Seville side is in good form. The team has claimed three consecutive victories in La Liga, including wins against strong opponents such as Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Additionally, the Spaniards confidently advanced past Belgian side Gent in the previous round. I believe the hosts will aim to secure a victory in the first leg with as large a margin as possible, as surprises may await from the Portuguese in the return leg.
Vitoria's unbeaten run in the Conference League is commendable. However, it's worth noting the level of competition they faced in this tournament. Since the start of this European campaign in the qualification stage, the Portuguese have played 12 matches, but the most formidable opponent, considered a solid mid-table team, was Fiorentina, with whom they drew at home.
My prediction: Betis to Win
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
