Real Betis vs Zenit
24 February 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 6/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 17 February
After what was an incredibly exciting first leg, it is Real Betis who hold the advantage having won 3-2 in St Petersburg. Can Zenit overcome that deficit to remain in the hunt for this year’s Europa League?!
Table of Contents
Real Betis Preview – Will Betis complete the job and progress to the last-16?
There’s no doubt that Real Betis are a club on the up. The appointment of Manuel Pellegrini back in 2020 has seen them go from strength to strength. Betis finished in sixth spot in La Liga last season, qualifying them for European football for the first time in three years. Their progress has continued and not only do they find themselves needing a draw to reach the last-16 of the Europa League, Betis are also sitting pretty domestically. Pellegrini’s men are in third place and have a four point cushion in the race for Champions League qualification.
It is a tremendous turnaround for a team who were flirting with relegation before the Chilean arrived and there looks to be more scope for improvement.
Betis come into this game having won their last four and scoring goals for fun. Sunday’s 2-1 win over Mallorca takes them to 11 goals in four matches and means they have won eight of their last 11 games in all competitions. Their only loss in that time was against the reigning holders of the Europa League, Villareal.
Betis finished second in the group stage which seen Bayer Leverkusen qualify as winners and one point ahead of Celtic. Their games in European competition are averaging four goals so there is often plenty of entertainment to be had.
Zenit Preview – Can the 2008 winners recover from last week’s disappointment to overcome their hosts?
Zenit won this competition back in 2008 when defeating Rangers in the final but they have a big task on their hands if they are to remain in the hunt for another success. Last weekend’s home defeat has left them up against it as they approach the second leg on Thursday. The Russians – who dropped into the Europa League following a third place finish in their Champions League section – were also on the recieving end of a defeat in their domestic cup competition, going down 2-1 at home to Arsenal Tula.
The Russian Premier League returns from it’s winter break this weekend and Sergei Semak’s men currently lead the way with a two point lead over Dinamo Moscow.
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It was no surprise to see the veteran striker Artem Dzuyba on the score sheet in the first leg last week. He has scored 10 in 17 league games and although it is his first strike in European competition this season, he will once again provide the biggest threat of any in this Zenit team.
Brazilian Claudinho is enjoying a productive first season at the club and will look to support Dzuyba and countryman Malcolm from midfield as the visitors hope to turn this tie around.
Real Betis vs Zenit Betting Advice
It should come as no surprise that Real Betis were involved in another enthralling Europa League match full of goals. The group stage seen them score 12 and concede the same number of goals, highlighting their attacking and expansive style of play under Pellegrini.
Zenit will hope to capitalise on the defensive frailties which are obviously there, and will also take comfort from the fact that away goals are no longer a thing. So the three shipped at home are not as drastic as they once would have been.
Key Facts – Real Betis vs Zenit Betting Tip
- Betis are looking for a fifth straight win in all competitions, scoring 11 goals in the last four wins
- Zenit dropped into this competition having finished third in their Champions League section
- All five goals in the first leg last week came in the first half
Everything points towards another entertaining clash and one that should end with at least three goals. Nine of Betis’ last 11 games have went this way so the trends are strong.
Best Betting Odds for Real Betis vs Zenit
