Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Conference League clash between Vitoria de Guimaraes and Real Betis, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Vitoria de Guimaraes and Real Betis will recommence battle at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques in the second leg of their Conference League last-16 clash.
The tie is finely poised ahead of Thursday’s clash after Vitoria came from behind on two occasions to hold Betis to a draw in last week’s meeting in Spain.
Match preview
© Imago
Vitoria enjoyed a successful league phase campaign, winning four and drawing two of their six matches to finish in second place and secure an automatic spot in the last 16.
They maintained their unbeaten European record with a battling display in Andalusia last week, with Joao Mendes and Nelson Oliveira cancelling out goals from Cedric Bakambu and Isco respectively to return to Portugal with a 2-2 draw.
Luis Freire‘s side were forced to come from behind again in Sunday’s Primeira Liga clash against basement side Boavista, sealing a 2-1 victory thanks to an Ilija Vukotic and a Tiago Silva penalty.
As a result of that win, Vitoria have now gone seven competitive matches without a win since losing to Estoril 1-0 at the end of January.
After going on their travels for their last two matches, Vitoria will now return to Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, where they have won seven and drawn six of their 13 home games in all competitions since losing 3-0 to Porto in September.
The Portuguese side will hope home advantage can help them claim their first win over Betis after failing to do so in their previous three competitive matches against the Spanish club (D1, L2).
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Betis had to negotiate a knockout round playoff tie to secure their spot in the last 16 after finishing in 15th place in the league phase with 10 points from six matches.
Los Verdiblancos claimed a 3-0 victory over Gent in the away leg of their playoff clash, and while they lost 1-0 at home in the return fixture, they ultimately did enough over the two matches to reach the last 16 of a UEFA competition for the third time in four seasons.
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side would have been disappointed to draw at home with Vitoria last week, leaving them with work to do in the second leg if they are to reach the quarter-final stage of European competition for the first time since the 1997-98 Cup Winners’ Cup.
They will at least travel to Portugal on the back of a narrow win after recording a 1-0 home victory over 10-man Las Palmas at the weekend, with Diego Llorente scoring the decisive goal to guide his team to a fourth consecutive La Liga win.
Thursday’s visitors will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, having found the net in nine of their previous 10 competitive away matches.
Betis have a mixed results on their travels in the Conference League this season after winning two and losing two of their away games in the main draw.
Vitoria de Guimaraes Conference League form:
Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):
Real Betis Conference League form:
Real Betis form (all competitions):
© Imago
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Bruno Gaspar, Gustavo Silva and Jesus Ramirez due to injury.
Queens Park Rangers loanee Hevertton could return to the lineup after dropping down to the bench for Sunday’s league win over Boavista.
Freire could also opt to recall Mikel Villanueva, Umaro Embalo, Silva and Oliveira to the starting XI for Thursday’s second leg.
Meanwhile, Betis are unable to call upon Marc Roca and Giovani Lo Celso, who are continuing to work their way back from foot and muscle injuries respectively.
Forward Chimy Avila is available for selection after he served a one-match suspension at the weekend for an accumulation of yellow cards.
William Carvalho is not quite ready to return from a lengthy absence, while Cucho Hernandez is ineligible after being left out of the Conference League squad for the knockout rounds.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has been included in the travelling party, but there is still some doubt as to whether he will be fit to start due to a small physical issue.
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Heverton, Borekovic, Villanueva, J.T. Mendes; Silva, Handel; Embalo, Mendes, Arcanjo; Oliveira
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Vieites; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Fornals, Altimira; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu
We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Real Betis
We expect the second leg to be a close-fought contest like last week’s meeting in Spain, but we think Vitoria will make full use of home advantage to claim a narrow win, especially as they have won 12 of their 19 competitive home games this season (D6, L1).
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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