The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Real Betis (Spain) and Nottingham Forest (England) will take place on September 24 at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville. Betis vs. Nottingham Forest: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Betis
Manuel Pellegrini's side qualified for the Europa League group stage by finishing sixth in La Liga. This marks the fifth consecutive European season for the Spaniards, with four of those in this tournament. Twice during this period, the Seville team reached the Europa League round of 16. In the last two seasons, the club advanced to the spring phase of the Conference League. Notably, in May, Betis played in the Conference League final, where they lost 1-4 to Chelsea.
- Betis has been involved in 10 uncompromising Europa League matches – 5 wins and 5 losses in regular time.
- At home, Betis has not lost in 90 minutes in 9 of their last 12 Europa League matches (6 wins and 3 draws).
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 6 of Betis's last 8 home matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Betis (4-3-3)
Pau López – Natan, Junior Firpo, Diego Llorente, Hector Bellerín – Giovani Lo Celso, Pablo Fornals, Sofyan Amrabat – Abde Ezzalzouli, Antony Matheus, Cucho Hernández.
Nottingham Forest
The English club returns to European competitions after a 30-year absence, thanks to their seventh-place finish in last season's Premier League. Interestingly, Nottingham Forest was initially supposed to play in the Conference League but secured a Europa League spot after Crystal Palace was excluded from the competition.
- The club has not won in 8 of their last 10 Premier League matches (4 draws and 4 losses).
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 8 of Nottingham Forest's last 11 Premier League games.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Nottingham Forest's last 10 away matches in the Premier League.
Predicted lineup for Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)
Matz Sels – Oleksandr Zinchenko, Morato, Nikola Milenković, Neco Williams – Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Douglas Luiz – Dan Ndoye, Dilane Bakwa, Chris Wood.
Referee
Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 62;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Betis vs. Nottingham Forest
The upcoming match is expected to be high-scoring with both teams finding the net. This is suggested not only by the current form of the clubs but also by their defensive and attacking records. In La Liga, Betis has a 25-match scoring streak. Moreover, both teams have scored in 16 of Betis's last 17 league games.
Nottingham Forest's away matches in their national competition have also been high-scoring, with both teams scoring in 9 of their last 10 games. Nottingham Forest has scored in 13 of their last 15 away matches in the Premier League. Additionally, both teams scored in Betis's last 4 European matches.
My prediction – Both teams to score – yes
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match.
