Soccer
Competition: Europa Conference League
Market: Both teams to score
Odds: 10/11 @ Pribet
With a Europa Conference League quarter-final spot hanging in the balance, Real Betis will travel to Portugal on Thursday night when they meet Guimaraes.
Starting with the hosts, although Guimaraes might have travelled to Andalusia last week pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Luis Freire’s men put in an eye-catching performance on foreign soil. Eventually leaving Spain with a first-leg 2-2 stalemate, the Portuguese outfit are enjoying what has become an extended flurry. Keeping up their recent momentum last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 victory away at Boavista, the former Rio Ave boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Looking to collect what would be a real Europa Conference League scalp on Thursday night, Guimaraes should also be excited by their continued dominance on home soil. Marking their return from Portugal’s festive break with a remarkable 4-4 draw against Sporting Lisbon, Freire’s side have not suffered a single defeat at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques since a 3-0 drumming against Porto on September 21st.
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage on home soil last week as they eventually had to settle for that 2-2 stalemate, Real Betis should have a real challenge on their hands here. However, getting March underway with a sensational comeback in Andalusia as they secured a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have enjoyed a real purple patch over the past month. Signing off February with another 2-1 win away at Getafe, the former Manchester City boss has seen his squad win all of their previous three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 5-2. Extending on their Europa Conference League adventure last month as they claimed a 3-1 aggregate win against Gent, Betis have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. It should also be noted, Los Verdiblancos have impressed with their success on the road. In fact, Pellegrini’s camp have won three of their last four showdowns away from the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Bet: Both teams to score at Guimaraes vs Real Betis 10/11 for Thursday’s Europa Conference League battle @ Pribet
Read MoreTom Dunstan