La Liga team Real Betis will welcome the Finnish team HJK Helsinki to Benito Villamarin for Thursday Conference League Collision.

Los Verdiblancos will enter the final matchday 17th place in the league phasewhile the guests are outside the top 24 in 29th place.

Game preview

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Betis experienced mixed fortunes in the league phase of the Conference League, having won two games, drawn one and lost two.

The Verdiblancos got off to an unconvincing start, losing 1-0 away to Legia Warsaw before suffering a 1-1 draw against FC Copenhagen on matchday two.

While they picked up a win at home against Celje, Betis were soon stopped by Mlada Boleslav and had to give up a narrow lead to lose 2-1 in the Czech Republic.

After picking up four points in as many games, the Andalusian side picked up a crucial win on their trip to Moldova last week Cedric Bakambu scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Petrocub, moving Betis to 17th place and three points clear of 25th.

Betis are now close to securing a place in the knockout stages, although they can no longer challenge for a place in the top eight and subsequent qualification for the round of 16.

Although they only need a point to guarantee a place in the top 24, Betis will be hoping for the chance to take all three points after winning three of their last four competitive games, including a 2-1 win with 10 men League away game on Sunday against Villarreal.

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After being eliminated in the group stage last season, HJK still has a lot to do to avoid another early exit from the Conference League.

The Finnish team is one point behind the qualification places with one win, one draw and three defeats in their five league phase games.

Toni KorkeakunnasThe Italian team recovered from a 3-0 defeat against Lugano and picked up a narrow 1-0 win against Dinamo Minsk on matchday two.

However, they were unable to build on this successful performance and lost two European games in a row against Olimpija and Panathinaikos without the goal scorers having any problems.

In last week’s home game against Molde they were able to at least avoid a third defeat in a row in the Conference League Lee Erwin Halving a two-goal deficit before substitution Kai Meriluoto scored the equalizer in stoppage time.

HJK know they need to get another win to have a realistic chance of moving into the top 24, but that may be easier said than done considering they have failed to win any of their last four away games.

Real Betis Conference League form:

Real Betis form (all competitions):

HJK Helsinki Conference League form:

HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):

Team news

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Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini will probably do without the services of Rui Silva, Hector Bellerin, William Carvalho And Classy Mendy due to an injury.

Pablo Fornals could be in the matchday squad after returning to training following a seven-game injury layoff.

Chimy Avila He was shown a straight red card in the recent La Liga win against Villarreal and, with the striker suspended for Sunday’s league game against Rayo Vallecano, he is likely to retain his place in the starting lineup for Thursday’s home game.

As for the visitors, Hassane gang And Brooklyn Lyons Foster pushing for starting places after coming on as a half-time substitute against Molde.

Bande could be given the chance to start on the wing, while Lyons-Foster could play in a back four Giorgos Antzoulas, Daniel O’Shaughnessy And Noah Pallas.

Erwin will lead the visiting team. The Scottish striker is looking to add to the 11 goals he has scored since joining HJK in the summer.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Ruibal, Llorente, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Flores; Diao, Avila, Rodriguez; Bakambu

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Nijhuis; Lyons-Foster, Antzoulas, O’Shaughnessy, Pallas; Bande, Kokcu, Lingman, Kanellopoulos, Hostikka; Erwin

We say: Real Betis – HJK Helsinki 2-0

Betis will be in a confident mood after winning three of their last four games and we believe their squad has the quality to prevail against an HJK side who have lost their last two away games in the league phase.

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