Real Betis vs HJK Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Europa Conference League, December 19, 2024

Real Betis vs HJK Preview                     

• Tournament: UEFA Europa Conference League
• Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
• Time: 8:00 pm GMT
• Venue: Benito Villamarin

Real Betis will host Finnish side HJK Helsinki at Benito Villamarin on Thursday in the UEFA Europa Conference League. It is an important clash for both sides due to their position in the table.

Real Betis are 17^th in the table with two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their five games in the league phase. The top 8 teams will directly qualify for the knockout rounds and the Spanish side are currently three points away from that group. Given they are one of the stronger sides, on paper, in the competition, their league position is surprising.

HJK, meanwhile, are 29^th in the table with one win, one draw, and three defeats. They are just one point behind the top 24. Teams between 9^th and 24^th will compete in the playoffs for the knockouts. The Finnish side will be eager to get to that mark and avoid elimination.

Real Betis Team News

Real Betis will be without Marc Roca, Pablo Fornals, Rui Silva, and William Carvalho due to their respective injuries. Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin is a doubt for the match and could feature on the bench.

HJK Team News

HJK, meanwhile, have all their players available for the clash.

Predicted Lineups

Real Betis predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Adrian

Defenders: Ricardo Rodriguez, Natan, Diego Llorente, Aitor Ruibal

Midfielders: Mateo Flores, Johnny Cardoso, Ezequiel Avila

Attackers: Jesus Rodriguez, Cedric Bakambu, Assane Diao

HJK predicted lineup (4-1-4-1):

Goalkeeper: Thijmen Nijhuis

Defenders: Miska Ylitolva, Georgious Antzoulas, Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Noah Pallas

Midfielders: Lucas Lingman, Ozan Kokcu, Giorgios Kanellopoulos

Attackers: Liam Moller, Lee Erwin, Santeri Hostikka

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Real Betis vs HJK H2H Record

Real Betis have won both of their previous meetings.

Key Players to watch in Real Betis vs HJK

Giovani Lo Celso

The Argentine attacking midfielder returned to Real Betis this summer and has been excellent for them so far. He earlier joined the Spanish side from PSG, initially on loan and then permanently, in 2018.

Lo Celso then joined Tottenham in 2019 and had an inconsistent spell due to injury and form issues. He finally returned to Real Betis earlier this summer. He is their top scorer with eight goals in 13 games across competitions and has provided one assist as well.

Lo Celso has understandably been the creative force for Real Betis and will look to be the same against HJK on Thursday. He’s scored one goal in one UEFA Europa Conference League appearance this season.

Lee Erwin

The Scottish striker joined HJK in the summer of this year and has been excellent for them so far. He is just one goal behind their joint top scorers and has contributed six goals and one assist in 11 European games, including Champions League Qualifiers.

Lee Erwin has played for the likes of Leeds United and Oldham Athletic in the past and joined HJK from Lebanese side Al-Ahed in the summer. He scored in HJK’s last Europa Conference League as they drew 2-2 against Molde.

Real Betis vs HJK Prediction

Real Betis would’ve been one of the favorites to win the UEFA Europa Conference League this season alongside the likes of Chelsea and Fiorentina. However, their position in the standings has been far from reflective of that.

The Spanish side lost against Legia Warszawa, drew against Copenhagen, beat NK Celje, lost against Molada Boleslav, and then beat CS Petrocub in the Europa Conference League so far. They are unbeaten in their last four games across competitions with three wins and one draw.

Real Betis beat CS Petrocub 1-0 away and then beat Villarreal 2-1 away in La Liga in their last two matches. HJK, meanwhile, have just one win in the Conference League so far. They lost 3-0 against Lugano, beat Dinamo Minsk, lost against Olimpija Ljubljana and Panathinaikos, and then drew against Molde.

Three points are vital for both sides are Real Betis could move into the Top 8 while HJK could move into the Top 24. However, the Spanish side are the favorites and should be able to comfortably secure a win at home.

Predicted Score: Real Betis 3-0 HJK

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