Last-placed team without points visits Andalusia
In the reformed Europa League, every place in the group stage has a different meaning. The group winner is through to the last 16, the runner-up has to play in a play-off round in the spring, the third-placed team will continue in the Conference League and for the last-placed team the European season is over. As a result, there is still tension in all groups on the fifth matchday. In Group G, Betis Sevilla and Ferencvaros face off on Thursday.
A match that is also interesting for the fans of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After all, the works eleven is also in Group G and is the current leader there with ten points. Betis are in second place with seven points, while the Hungarian champions have not yet been able to register and have already been eliminated as bottom team without points. Accordingly, the starting position at the Benito Villamarin Stadium seems clear and betting odds of just over 1.20 are offered between Betis Sevilla and Ferencvaros for a home win.
For the Andalusians, the best-case scenario would be a home win of their own and a Leverkusen success in the parallel match against Celtic Glasgow. In this scenario, the Spaniards would definitely spend the winter in the Europa League. Otherwise, they would face a final against the Scottish club with a long tradition.
Betis Sevilla – Statistics & current form
After two years without international football, Manuel Pellegrini led the Green and Whites of Sevilla back to Europe. As in 2013/14 and 2018/19, Betis will take part in the group stage and have the best chances to stay in the competition for the third time. The Spaniards suffered a 4-0 defeat in their last match against Bayer Leverkusen, which was also the highest defeat in an international match for Betis Sevilla. To make matters worse, Nabil Fekir was sent off in injury time after a scuffle with Kerem Demirbay and will miss Betis for the home game against Ferencvaros.
No home defeat in EL group stage
Even without the creative Frenchman, however, Betis Sevilla will have a clear advantage over the Hungarian champions. Manuel Pellegrini can otherwise draw from the full and does not have to lament another loss. In addition, Betis have a very strong home record in the Europa League group stage. Betis have not lost any of their eight previous matches at the Benito Villamarin Stadium (four wins, four draws).
This season, a spectacular 4-3 win against Celtic Glasgow and a 1-1 draw against Leverkusen. It is also striking that the Spaniards have conceded at least one goal in all four Europa League matches so far. As a result, the prediction for Betis Sevilla against Ferencvaros is that both teams will score. The Hungarian underdogs will be able to play completely free and accordingly invest a bit more in the offensive.
Best start to a season since 2012/13
Despite the heavy defeat against Leverkusen on matchday four, Betis Sevilla can draw a very satisfactory conclusion so far. The Andalusians are currently fifth in the table and have collected 24 points in 14 league games. This means a plus of eight points compared to last year. The last time Betis had a better record after 14 match days was in the 2012/13 season, when they only finished seventh in the final standings. Since then, the Green-Whites have never collected more than 19 points in 14 games.
Before the international break, they suffered two bitter defeats in the top games against champions Atletico Madrid and in the big Andalusian city derby against Sevilla FC, but Betis returned to winning ways last weekend. Against relegation candidates Elche, Pellegrini’s eleven started furiously and already led 3:0 after 27 minutes. Self-confidence should be more than enough for Spaniards.
Predicted line-up of Betis Sevilla:
Silva – Miranda, Ruiz, Bartra, Bellerin – Rodriguez, Carvalho – Ruibal, Canales, Joaquin – Iglesias
Last matches played by Betis Sevilla:
LaLiga
11/21 2021 – Elche 0 – 3 Real Betis
11/07 2021 – Real Betis 0 – 2 Sevilla
Europa League Grp. G
11/04 2021 – Bayer Leverkusen 4 – 0 Real Betis
LaLiga
10/31 2021 – Atletico Madrid 3 – 0 Real Betis
10/27 2021 – Real Betis 4 – 1 Valencia
Ferencvaros – Statistics & current form
Exactly a quarter of the remaining UEFA Europa League participants are reigning champions in their home country. The Hungarians, coached by Peter Stöger, are one of those eight title holders, but have had to pay a lot of dues in the Europa League so far. Ferencvaros Budapest are the only one of the 32 teams not to have picked up a point yet.
Ten goals conceded in four games
This confirms a realisation that fans have already seen in the Champions League play-off against Young Boys from Bern. The defence does not have the necessary level to stand up against strong teams. Ferencvaros lost twice against the Swiss with 2:3 and the flood of goals conceded continues in the Europa League. The Hungarians conceded ten goals in their first four matches – together with group opponents Celtic Glasgow, this is the highest figure of all 32 Europa League group participants.
However, Ferencvaros can always surprise in the forward play and scored in three of the four group games. Only in the away defeat against Celtic Glasgow did Ferencvaros remain without a goal of their own. Disastrous at the back, quite dangerous at the front – a combination that underlines a bet on a match full of goals for Betis Sevilla against Ferencvaros Budapest. Even an over 3.5 can be considered here.
Eight group defeats in a row
The 32-time Hungarian champions are well on their way to celebrating a fourth title in a row and are already leading the domestic league once again. At national level, Ferencvaros have virtually no opponents and are rarely challenged. The away record in the domestic championship is outstanding with five wins and a goal difference of 11:1. Internationally, however, there have been five away defeats in a row in group matches, and the last eight group matches have all been lost. An end to this horror series is unlikely on Thursday evening.
Predicted line-up of Ferencvaros:
Bogdan – Civic, Mmaee, Blazic, Somalia – Laidouni, Vecsei – Nguen, Zachariassen, Zubkov – Uzuni
Last matches played by Ferencvaros:
NB I
11/21 2021 – Ferencvaros 3 – 0 Fehervar FC
11/07 2021 – Kisvarda 0 – 4 Ferencvaros
Europa League Grp. G
11/04 2021 – Ferencvaros 2 – 3 Celtic Glasgow
NB I
10/30 2021 – Gyirmot 0 – 2 Ferencvaros
10/24 2021 – Ferencvaros 0 – 0 MTK Budapest
Betis Sevilla – Ferencvaros Direct comparison / H2H record
The Hungarian underdogs kept the first leg open for a surprisingly long time. Shortly before the end of the second half, Stöger’s team deservedly equalised Fekir’s lead. In the second period, both teams had their chances before an own goal by Henry Wingo in minute 76 swung the pendulum in the Andalusians’ direction. A counter-attack in the final minutes ensured the final decision.
Betis Sevilla – Ferencvaros Tip
There is no suitable bet on Betis Sevilla against Ferencvaros on the three-way market, as there are no arguments against the home win. However, maximum betting odds of 1.22 are offered for the favourite victory, which are by no means lucrative. Nevertheless, interesting betting opportunities were found, such as HT/FT 1/1. Already at the weekend Betis started brilliantly and led quickly against Elche with 3:0.
However, the most lucrative option with good chances of winning is a bet that also requires the underdog. The Stöger eleven has the quality to get into dangerous situations when playing forward. After the guests have already been eliminated, the Hungarians are expected to be a bit more offensive. An entertaining match with goal chances on both sides would not be surprising. Therefore, Betis Sevilla vs. Ferencvaros is recommended with odds of 2.20 on both teams to score.
