2024-25 UEFA Conference League Final Preview

Guide to the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League Final which sees Real Betis meet Chelsea in the showpiece decider. 

Real Betis and Chelsea are both chasing their first title in this competition after the pair overcame Fiorentina and Djurgarden respectively in the semi-finals.

 

Teams

Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt for Real Betis after he missed their 1-1 draw against Valencia in La Liga due to a muscle injury.

Chimy Avila, Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente (all hamstring) and Marc Roca (foot) are ruled out.

Chelsea will welcome Nicolas Jackson back from his domestic suspension.

Christopher Nkunku is available for selection after he missed the past month with a knock.

Romeo Lavia is ineligible whilst Wesley Fofana (muscle), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Aaron Anselmino and Omari Kellyman (both hamstring) are still sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Real Betis meet Chelsea at Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland, on Wednesday 28 Mau at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Real Betis’ first Conference League meeting against Chelsea, although they have won just one of four previous meetings against Chelsea in all UEFA competitions (W1, L3).
• Chelsea have won just one of two meetings against Real Betis when they played as the away team (W1, L1).
• This is Real Betis’ first meeting against Chelsea to be played on neutral territory,
• Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli both scored in each of Real Betis’ last two Conference matches (W1, D1).
• Seven of Christoph Nkunku’s 14 goals for Chelsea this season were scored in the Conference League.

 

Prediction

Having reached this showpiece via the long way round of needing a knockout play-off, Real Betis now have a chance to claim their first European trophy after gutsy semi-final displays to beat Fiorentina, but they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 games which is a huge worry coming into this final.

Chelsea on the other hand clinically snatched 1-0 wins over Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in their last two matches, during which they often lacked clinical composure in their end product but Jackson and Nkunku’s return should add more calmness up front.

Although Real Betis will undoubtedly cause issues such is their attacking form with just two blanks this calendar year, I do think that Chelsea should have enough firepower to clinch this.

Prediction: Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea