Preview: Real Betis vs. HJK Helsinki - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors will finish bottom of Group C whatever the result is in Andalusia, but they will be motivated to record their first win of the competition.

Match preview

Betis have made light work of the Europa League group stage, winning four and drawing one of their five matches to secure top spot and a place in the last 16.

Los Verdiblancos took maximum points from both of their meetings with Ludogorets, while four points from their two games against a high-quality Roma side ensured the group was won at a canter.

Although they have achieved their objective of progressing to the last 16, Manuel Pellegrini will be challenging his team to remain professional as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten record in this season's Europa League.

The hosts will also be keen for his side to record a third consecutive victory in all competitions to build momentum ahead of Sunday's El Gran Derbi against local rivals Sevilla.

Betis have never lost in any of their 11 home group stage games in the Europa League, and after beating HJK 2-0 in the reverse fixture, they will be confident of claiming another positive result on Thursday.

While Los Verdiblancos have enjoyed a successful European campaign up until this point, HJK have struggled to get out of the starting blocks in the group stage.

After being comfortably beaten by Betis and Roma, the Finnish side managed to pick up their first point of the group stage courtesy of a 1-1 home draw against Ludogorets.

That proved to be their only result of the group stage so far, as they lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture against the Hungarian side, while they were edged out by Roma last week, ensuring they will finish rock-bottom of Group C.

Their European campaign may draw to a close on Thursday, but HJK will be desperate to record a victory before they exit the competition.

If they are to pull off a surprise win, then they will need to improve in the final third after failing to find the net in both of their two away group games.

Real Betis Europa League form:

W

W

W

D

W

Real Betis form (all competitions):

D

W

D

L

W

W

HJK Helsinki Europa League form:

D

L

L

D

L

L

HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

L

L

Team News

Betis are unable to call upon Juanmi, Victor Camarasa, Luiz Felipe due to injury issues, while Joaquin and Guido Rodriguez are also set to miss out.

Pellegrini's main priority will be on Sunday's derby meeting with Sevilla, and as a result, he will make wholesale changes to the side that beat Real Sociedad.

The likes of Claudio Bravo, Victor Ruiz, and Willian Jose will be among those that come into the lineup, and Pellegrini could potentially give Quique Fernandez and Juan Cruz their first starts for the club.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Valtteri Moren and Roope Riski, with the pair currently sidelined through injury.

Although HJK are already eliminated, Thursday's contest represents their final game of the season, and as a result, Toni Koskela is expected to name a similar lineup to the one that started against Roma.

After coming off the bench at half time against the Italian side, Malik Abubakari is set to come to lead the line for the visitors.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Bravo; Ruibal, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Miranda; Akouokou, Fernandez; Henrique, Cruz, Sanchez; Jose

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Peltola, Halme, Hoskonen; Soiri, Lingman, Vaananen, Browne; Hetemaj, Hostikka; Abubakari

We say: Real Betis 3-0 HJK Helsinki

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