Real Betis will look to produce a memorable night at their temporary home, La Cartuja, as they host Panathinaikos in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League round-of-16 clash, trailing from the first leg.
The Greek side secured a 1-0 victory at home in a chaotic encounter that saw both teams reduced to ten men, with a late penalty from Vicente Tarboda putting them in a strong position.
Betis have struggled for consistency in recent weeks and will require a significant improvement to overturn the deficit in front of their home supporters.
Read our Real Betis vs Panathinaikos prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
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Real Betis vs Panathinaikos key stats
- Panathinaikos are unbeaten in their last nine matches.
- Real Betis have failed to win their last five games across all competitions.
- Each of Betis’s last seven matches has produced over 4.5 cards.
Real Betis vs Panathinaikos preview: Can Rafa Benitez mastermind yet another memorable win in Europe?
| Real Betis | vs | Panathinaikos |
|---|---|---|
| 5th(La Liga) | Position | 4th(Greek Super League) |
| 44 | Points | 46 |
| 43 | Goals For | 42 |
| 35 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 5th | Home Rank | 4th |
| 5th | Away Rank | 4th |
Real Betis reached this stage on the back of an impressive UEFA Europa League campaign, recording five wins, two draws and just one defeat from eight matches in the league phase.
The La Liga side have lost only twice in nine Europa League games this season, although both defeats have come against Greek opposition — PAOK in the league phase and Panathinaikos in the first leg of this tie.
Panathinaikos have won only five of their 28 games in major European competition against Spanish opposition.
Los Verdiblancos have struggled defensively of late, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches, while their attacking output has also dipped, with just four goals scored in their previous five games.
Giovani Lo Celso and Isco will miss the clash due to thigh and ankle injuries, respectively, while Diego Llorente is suspended after being sent off in Greece.
Rafael Benitez has built a reputation for masterminding memorable European nights, and the stage is set for the Spaniard to guide Panathinaikos to another notable result.
The Greek side finished 17th in the UEFA Europa League league phase and had to come through a playoff tie against Viktoria Plzen to reach this stage. Holding a narrow advantage, and given their current form, they will be confident of securing a positive result.
Panathinaikos are unbeaten in each of their last eight Europa League games.
Panathinaikos have recorded four wins and a draw in their last five matches and are currently unbeaten in nine games.
Anass Zaroury will miss the match through suspension after being sent off in the first leg, while Giannis Kotsiras and Erik Palmer-Brown are also expected to be sidelined due to injury.
Real Betis vs Panathinaikos form guide & betting tips
| Real Betis | vs | Panathinaikos |
|---|---|---|
| D-S-L-L-D | Form | W-W-W-W-D |
| 4 | Goals For | 12 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 6 |
| L-W-L | Europa League form | D-W-W |
Whispers Predicts: Real Betis 1-1 Panathinaikos
At 1.42, Real Betis are slight favourites to win this contest. However, a draw at 4.4 could represent value, given the hosts’ recent struggles for form, while Panathinaikos have built momentum at the right time.
Four of Betis’s last five matches have produced fewer than three goals, making Under 2.5 goals at 2.04 an appealing option.
Panathinaikos have scored first in six of their last seven games and are tipped to do so again at odds of 3.75.
Betis are expected to respond strongly on home soil, but Panathinaikos arrive with confidence and rhythm; a draw could be enough for the visitors, and the experience of Rafael Benitez may prove crucial in guiding them through with a disciplined defensive display.
> BBTS-Yes at 2.1 | Likelihood: Probable
> Panathinaikos to score first at 3.75 | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 10.5 corners at 1.53 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score 1-1 at 9.0 | Likelihood: Outsider