Real Betis Faces Vitoria de Guimaraes in Conference League Clash

SEVILLE, Spain — On Thursday, March 6, 2025, Real Betis will host Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio Benito Villamarin for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Round of 16 matchup. Match time is set for 5:45 p.m. UK time.

Real Betis earned their place in this stage of the tournament by defeating Gent 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout playoff round. Meanwhile, Vitoria automatically advanced after securing second place in the league phase, demonstrating their strength throughout the competition.

Despite a rocky start to the season that left them 15th in the league with just 10 points from three wins, one draw, and two losses, Betis turned their performance around, winning four of their last five matches. Their resurgence included a notable 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, where they generated an impressive 2.39 expected goals compared to Madrid’s 1.13.

“That win against Real Madrid has given us a big confidence boost,” said Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini. “We aim to continue that momentum against Vitoria.”

Vitoria de Guimaraes has also shown strong form, remaining undefeated in the Conference League European matches thus far. They have secured victories over teams like Floriana FC, FC Zurich, and HSK Zrinjski Mostar, finishing the league phase with four wins and two draws. This impressive journey places them alongside Chelsea as the only teams yet to lose in the tournament.

Vitoria’s coach, who took charge in January 2025, has emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining their unbeaten streak. “Every match is a new opportunity, and we’re eager to prove ourselves against a tough opponent like Betis,” he stated.

As for injuries, Real Betis will likely be without several key players, while Vitoria might also face some absences. Pellegrini is expected to field a mostly unchanged squad from their last match against Madrid, with star player Isco anticipated to play a crucial role.

Barring any surprises, here’s what the potential starting lineups might look like:

Real Betis: Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, Perraud; Johnny, Altimira; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Hernandez.

Vitoria de Guimaraes: Varela; Maga, Borevkovic, Villanueva, Mendes; Silva, Handel; Santos, Mendes, Embalo; Oliveira.

Betis fans hope the home advantage will propel their team toward victory as they enter this vital clash.