The second leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 between Vitória Guimarães (Portugal) and Real Betis (Spain) will take place on March 13 at the Afonso Henriques Stadium. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw. Vitória Guimarães vs. Real Betis: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Vitória Guimarães
The Portuguese side remains unbeaten in this season's Europa Conference League, a feat unmatched even by Chelsea, who suffered one loss in the playoff round. Overall, the club's unbeaten streak in this tournament stands at 13 matches (10 wins and 3 draws). In the first meeting, Luís Freire's men secured a draw in Seville (2-2), and now, to reach the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time this century, they need to win at home.
- Both teams scored in Vitória's last seven matches in this tournament.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of the last 9 games involving the Portuguese side in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
- The club has not conceded in the first half in their previous nine home matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Vitória Guimarães (4-4-2)
Bruno Varela – Mikel Villanueva, João Mendes, Éverton, Toni Borevkovic – João Sabino Mendes, Nuno Santos, Tiago Rafael Silva, Tomás Handel – Nelson Oliveira, Umaro Embaló.
Defender Bruno Gaspar will miss the match due to injury.
Real Betis
The Spanish side has failed to win in their last two home matches in the UEFA Europa Conference League. In the knockout stage, the club lost to Gent (0-1) and then settled for a draw (2-2). To advance further in the tournament, the Seville team must win away. If the match ends in another draw, extra time will be played. Interestingly, the team has not reached the quarter-finals of a European competition this century.
- No more than three goals were scored in 12 of Betis' last 13 matches in this tournament.
- In 7 of the last 9 matches in this European competition, one of the teams scored exactly one goal.
- The Seville side has not conceded in the first half in their last eight UEFA Europa Conference League matches.
Predicted lineup for Real Betis (4-3-3)
Fran Vieites – Aitor Ruibal, Natan, Romain Perraud, Marc Bartra – Sergi Altimira, Isco, João Cardoso – Antonio Mateus, Jesús Rodríguez, Cédric Bakambu.
Midfielder Chimy Ávila will miss the match due to suspension, while fellow midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Marc Roca are out with injuries.
Referee
Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.7;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 57%.
Vitória Guimarães vs. Real Betis: Match Prediction
Despite changing their head coach in mid-January, the Portuguese side continues their unbeaten run in the Europa Conference League. The club is quite prolific, especially at home, where they average about two goals per match in their domestic league. In this European competition this season, Vitória has scored at least two goals on five occasions, with only Fiorentina conceding just one.
Additionally, the Portuguese side has suffered only one defeat in 12 home matches in the Primeira Liga (6 wins and 5 draws). In the Europa Conference League, they have 5 wins and 1 draw at home this season. It will not be easy for the Seville team in the return leg, as they lack consistency both in European competition and in their domestic league. In La Liga, Betis has conceded in 11 of their last 12 away matches, so the Portuguese side will have plenty of opportunities to exploit their attacking potential, allowing them to at least avoid defeat.
My prediction: Vitória Guimarães to win or draw
