- by Masivuye Mzimkhulu
- on 25 Sep, 2025
Match preview
Wednesday night’s Europa League fixture pits Andalusian side Real Betis against England’s Nottingham Forest at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Kick‑off is set for 20:00 UK time, and the atmosphere is already buzzing because Forest are stepping back onto the continental stage for the first time since the 1995‑96 season.
Betis come in hot off a 3‑1 triumph over Real Sociedad in La Liga, a game that saw Juan Hernández score, an own‑goal from Alex Remiro and a late strike from Pablo Fornals. The hosts enjoyed around 50 % possession and forced six shots on target – a decent balance of control and bite.
Forest, meanwhile, are still trying to find a rhythm under new boss Ange Postecoglou. Their most recent league outing was a 1‑1 draw at Burnley, with Neco Williams netting for the Tricky Trees. They held 63 % of the ball and produced eight attempts on goal, but the point slipped away, extending their winless streak to five matches.
Bookmakers have made Betis the clear favourite, posting odds of +117 (roughly a 46 % implied chance). The odds reflect not just the Spanish side’s recent form but also their pedigree in European competition. Betis reached the Conference League final last season and have only dropped a single home game in the last 18 group‑stage fixtures across all UEFA tournaments.
That said, the English side have a nasty record against Premier League opposition in Europe – seven defeats in their last nine encounters. Forest’s only historic tie with a Spanish club dates back to the 1961‑62 Fairs Cup, a 7‑1 drubbing by Valencia. The two clubs did meet in a 2018 friendly, which Betis won 1‑0, but that offers little predictive power.
Betting analysis and tip‑sheet
Tipsters are largely backing a Betis win, many pegging the score at 2‑1. The market narratives that keep popping up are:
- Both Teams to Score – Both outfits have shown they can find the net while also leaking goals. Betis have seen both sides score in four of their last five games, and Forest’s attack remains a threat despite irregular league results.
- Over 2.5 Goals – Betis have gone over this total in their last three matches, and the duo’s recent league displays suggest a high‑scoring affair.
- Correct Score – The 2‑1 line draws the most attention, offering attractive returns for those confident the hosts will edge it.
For those who like to build an accumulator, a solid combo looks like this:
- Real Betis to win
- Both Teams to Score
- Over 2.5 Total Goals
- Either Pablo Fornals or Cucho Hernández to score anytime
This mix captures the expected narrative: a home victory, plenty of goals and contributions from Betis’ key attackers.
Speaking of key players, Cucho Hernández has been the focal point of Betis’ forward play, while Fornals provides the creative spark from midfield. Forest will look to Neco Williams and the ever‑hardworking Chris Wood to create chances, but they’ll need a defensive upgrade if they hope to keep the game tight.
Strategically, Betis are likely to press high, using their possession advantage to stretch Forest’s back line. Postecoglou’s side, still adjusting to his philosophy, may sit deeper and look to hit on the break, especially exploiting the spaces left by Betis’ advancing full‑backs.
In short, the odds, form and home advantage all point to Betis prevailing, but Forest’s hunger to make a European statement could keep the scoreline closer than the numbers suggest.
Keep an eye on the first‑half tempo – an early goal from either side will shape the betting market in real time, potentially swinging the over/under line and the both‑teams‑to‑score option.