The UEFA Conference League playoff draw for the 2024 season took place on December 20, 2024, at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. This draw set the stage for determining which teams will advance to the knockout rounds of this European competition, with the top eight teams from the league phase already securing their spots directly.
Real Betis, one of the most notable teams participating, has been matched against KAA Gent, and the stakes are high. The matches are scheduled to be played on February 13 and 20, 2025. Both legs of the tie will be of pivotal importance as teams look to secure their place in the round of 16. This marks the first time these two teams will meet on the European stage, adding to the intrigue surrounding this matchup.
The draw involved teams seeded based on their final standings, with those finishing between 9th and 24th positions needing to vie for the remaining slots available for the knockout stages. Real Betis concluded their league phase positioned 15th, which automatically placed them within the seeded category, allowing them the advantage of hosting the second leg at their home ground, the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
KAA Gent enters this playoff as the 17th position holder and is seen as a formidable opponent, though they have recently struggled with consistency. Reportedly unable to score points on the road during previous European encounters this season, Gent will be under pressure when they compete away against Betis. The upcoming matches will be telling for both teams, as Betis looks to leverage their home advantage to push past their Belgian rivals.
The full lineup for the playoffs features several compelling matchups. Alongside the Betis vs. Gent clash, other notable ties include TSC facing Jagiellonia, and COpenhagen drawing Heidenheim. The anticipation builds not only due to the matchups but also because the winners from these playoffs will advance to meet the eight top teams who secured early qualification.
Betis's recent performance showed volatility characterized by three narrow victories supplemented by tough losses. Despite these issues, they managed to collect enough points to secure their playoff spot—a task made even more difficult considering the unpredictability of teams like Gent, who have their own set of challenges following disappointing recent results. The winner of the Betis-Gent playoff will have the opportunity to face one of the premier teams from the league phase, raising both hopes and stakes for the competition.
The playoffs will not only determine which teams move forward but also set the tone for the remainder of the UEFA Conference League. The comprehensive match schedule and formats were explained during the draw, highlighting the significance of every encounter as teams spill out onto the field. Those favorites, like Real Betis, will undoubtedly be viewed with scrutiny as they aim to capitalize on their recent qualification successes.
Looking forward, the action continues beyond the playoffs with another draw scheduled for February 21, when the round of 16 matchups will be finalized. The winners from the playoffs and the eight top-seeded teams will finally know their fates. The excitement leading up to this event, coupled with the potential for historic outcomes, makes this moment significant for fans and players alike.
Overall, the UEFA Conference League playoffs represent another chapter of anticipation and competitive spirit within European football. With each match laden with pressure and promise, the tournament is set to showcase thrilling moments along with strategic gameplay as teams battle for glory on their European journeys.
