Overview
Betis is currently in the top 8 of the Europa League thanks to goal difference, after winning 4, drawing 2 and losing 1 in 7 group stage matches.
Their only defeat took place last week at PAOK Stadium, when Betis conceded 2 goals in the second half and collapsed 0-2 in Thessaloniki. Therefore, last season's Conference League runner-up still has a lot to do if they want to secure a place in the round of 16 and avoid having to play 2 more matches in the play-off round.
After the fall in Greece, Betis continued to suffer another away defeat in La Liga against Alaves. Abde Ezzalzouli's penalty in the 95th minute was not enough to save, when Betis lost 1-2 at Mendizorroza.
Returning to their home ground, Betis will expect to regain their excitement. They have won 6/8 of their most recent official matches here (1 draw, 1 loss), including 3 consecutive home wins against Getafe, Elche and Villarreal.
The home team has a confident basis to make things difficult for Feyenoord's defense, because Betis has scored at least 2 goals in 7/8 recent home matches.
In the opposite direction, Feyenoord entered the eighth matchday with a 2-point gap from the top 24, after winning 2 and losing 5 in 7 group stage matches.
Robin van Persie's team rekindled hopes of advancing thanks to a 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz last week, with goals from Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Anis Hadj Moussa and Goncalo Borges.
Last weekend, Feyenoord continued to show off their attacking power when they defeated Heracles 4-2, thereby rising to second place in the Eredivisie, although still 14 points behind PSV Eindhoven. They will face the top team this weekend, but first must overcome Betis if they want to have a chance to participate in the Europa League play-offs.
However, the task of winning all 3 points in Spain is not easy at all. Feyenoord have lost all 3 away matches in the group stage, respectively against Braga, Stuttgart and FCSB.
Not only that, the Dutch team's defense also revealed many problems when away from home. They conceded at least 2 goals in 5/6 of their most recent official away matches (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses).
Personnel situation
Betis midfielder Sofyan Amrabat will be out of action for 6 to 8 weeks after knee surgery, the injury arose when he returned from the African Cup campaign with the Moroccan national team.
The home team is also predicted to be missing Cucho Hernandez, Rodrigo Riquelme, Giovani Lo Celso, Isco, Hector Bellerin and Junior Firpo due to injury.
Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli are likely to fully recover after minor problems to be present in time, while Aitor Ruibal's ability to play is still uncertain. This player was absent from the most recent defeat due to a closed muscle injury.
On the away team side, Feyenoord will be without the services of Gijs Smal, Thomas Beelen, Gaoussou Diarra, Shiloh Zand, Gernot Trauner, Malcom Jeng and Givairo Read.
In addition, Watanabe, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Luciano Valente are also being questioned about their fitness after all three had to leave the field due to injuries in the victory against Heracles in the domestic league.
In attack, Ayase Ueda is likely to lead Feyenoord's spearhead. The Japanese striker has scored 19 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions this season, despite only having one goal in the group stage.
Expected lineup:
Real Betis: Lopez, Ortiz, Llorente, Natan, Rodriguez, Altimira, Fornals, Deossa, Antony, Ezzalzouli, Avila.
Wellenreuther, Lotomba, Kraaijeveld, Plug, Bos, Hwang, Steijn, Targhalline, Hadj Moussa, Sauer, Ueda.
The match between Real Betis and Feyenoord takes place at 3:00 AM on January 30 (Vietnam time).
