Gent vs Betis prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-12 20:00.
[p]Off the back of a disappointing 3-3 draw with Mechelen, Gent look to fire up their season by continuing their run in the UEFA Conference League. With the aim of progressing further than their best-ever quarter-final run in this competition back in 2022/23, they must now overcome Real Betis in a knockout play-off round after finishing 17th in the inaugural league phase. [/p]
[p]The Belgians are in something of a rut, having triumphed in just one of their last six outings in all competitions (D4, L1), with a glut of draws seeing their top six place in the Belgian First Division now under threat. But at home in this tournament they are near unstoppable, and will arrive guarding a 17-game unbeaten run in such outings (W14, D3), winning their last six in a row.[/p]
[p]Their opponents arrive in poor form, with a heartbreaking comeback from Celta Vigo seeing Manuel Pellegrini’s men let a two-goal lead slip in an eventual 3-2 defeat. Betis have now let in 2+ goals in four of their last five outings in all competitions (W1, D1, L3), but they’ll lean on a solid defensive record in the Conference League record, where they’ve let in two or more goals just once (W5, D2, L3).[/p]
[p]Betis will have painful memories of exiting this competition at the same stage last season, when losing out to Dinamo Zagreb. And if they’re to keep the dream of winning a first-ever European trophy alive, they’ll be looking for a repeat of their away result the only other time they faced a Belgian side – a 1-0 victory against Anderlecht in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Returning to Belgium’s top-flight for the first time since 2022/23, January signing Dante Vanzeir got off the mark against Mechelen – he has four goal contributions in seven club games across all competitions. Another winter signing, Antony has been starring for Real Betis, and his two-game spell has already produced two La Liga MVP awards and a goal! [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Betis have conceded seven second-half goals in their last four away games.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]