On December 19, 2024, Real Betis will host HIK Helsinki at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville for their UEFA Conference League match-up, hoping to boost their chances of advancing to the next round. Kickoff is set for 23:00 Moscow time.
Betis, the Andalusian club competing at the La Liga level, is showing promise with recent performances. Last season, they finished seventh, and this season they were eyeing European competition again. Currently, they sit ninth on the La Liga table with 24 points from 17 matches, trailing closely behind the European qualification spots.
Meanwhile, their UEFA Conference League campaign has seen mixed results. From five matches played, Betis scored victories against Celje and Petrokub, with respective scores of 2-1 and 1-0. They also drew 1-1 with Copenhagen and faced defeats against Legia and Mlada Boleslav, which leaves them at 17th position within the group.
Conversely, HIK Helsinki, Finland's most decorated football club, entered the UEFA Conference League after completing their domestic league season, where they finished third. Historically, HIK has 33 Finnish league titles to its name, but their form has slumped lately. So far, they have only managed to secure four points from five matches, having achieved one victory against Dynamo Minsk (1-0) and drawn 2-2 with Molde.
The current statistics favor Betis, considering their recent performances where they have not lost any of their last four games, including key matches such as their 2-1 win against Villarreal. Contrarily, HIK has overwhelmed with defensive weaknesses, having conceded a troubling eight goals over their recent matches.
Historically, the two teams have met only twice. During the 2022/23 Europa League Group Stage, Betis won both encounters, delivering decisive victories of 2-0 and 3-0 against the Finns.
Against this backdrop, betting analysts see Betis as the clear favorites for this match, with odds reflecting their advantage. Betting agency Winline places Betis’ win at odds of 1.15, with HIK's victory set at much higher odds of 16.00. A draw stands at 7.40. The bookmakers also suggest the match will be wealthier with goals, pricing the over 2.5 goals bet at 1.40 and under at 2.80.
Expert predictions indicate there is growing confidence for Betis to extend their winning streak. The home side aims to maintain the current form, capitalizing on HIK’s struggles. Analysts suggest betting on Betis achieving over 2.5 total goals seems like the safest bet.
While Betis may still grapple with mid-table challenges and inconsistencies across competitions, their stature and recent matchups against lesser-ranked teams underline their superiority going forward. HIK will need to step up their game after their domestic league concluded and will look to regain form against tough European competition.
Looking forward to the upcoming match, the predictions lean heavily toward Betis winning with plenty of opportunities to score, and they will capitalize on HIK's defensive frailties. With both teams motivated to secure points within the group, the clash promises to be intensely competitive.
Given recent statistics, Betis is expected to continue its upward trend as they aim for victory and solidify their place among the top teams vying for playoff spots.
