Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Europa Conference League match.
Real Betis need a win to improve their standing in the Europa Conference League after a series of setbacks. Despite competing in one of Europe's strongest leagues, they have yet to find their rhythm on the international stage. Meanwhile, Celje aim to continue their successful run despite domestic challenges. This game presents a great opportunity to breach Real Betis' defence and climb closer to the leaders.
Real Betis
Real Betis have yet to secure a victory in the Conference League, which is surprising given their ambitions. In recent matches, the team struggled with finishing, posting just 0.72 xG against Legia Warsaw and 1.25 xG against Copenhagen. On average, Real Betis make 16 shots per game in the Conference League but hit the target with only a quarter of them. In La Liga, however, they sit in seventh place, close to the European spots, and show resilience at home, losing only once in their last eight matches. Yet, their defence is not always reliable— they've kept a clean sheet just once in seven games, conceding even against modest Gevora (6:1) in the Copa del Rey.
Celje
Celje have already made an impact in the Conference League, thrashing İstanbul Başakşehir (5:1) in their previous match. In the first two rounds of the competition, the Slovenian side created on average 3.5 goal-scoring opportunities per game, showcasing their attacking potential. However, they aren't always solid defensively, with just one clean sheet in eight matches. In their domestic league, Celje are fourth with a goal difference of 26-23 over 14 matches. They frequently play entertaining football, with 11 of their 12 matches ending with a total over 2.5 goals, showing they prefer the open play style.
Real Betis vs Celje Prediction
Real Betis' form in the Conference League leaves much to be desired. Despite the advantage of playing at home, they haven't found their rhythm in European competitions. Celje, on the other hand, have proven their attacking strength, and the hosts' defensive issues could play into the visitors' hands. Hence, a bet on Celje to score seems quite realistic.
