Real Betis vs Feyenoord

A classic European night awaits at the Estadio de la Cartuja tonight, Thursday, January 29, 2026, as Real Betis hosts Feyenoord. While the setting is Seville, the tension is purely continental: Betis is fighting to stay in the automatic qualification spots, while Feyenoord is clawing for a seat at the play-off table.

Real Betis currently sits in 8th place (14 points), clinging to the final direct Round of 16 spot by goal difference alone. Feyenoord, rejuvenated by a 3–0 win over Sturm Graz last week, is in 26th place (6 points) and must win tonight to have any hope of breaking into the top 24.

Match Information

Real Betis: Protecting the "Top Eight"

Manuel Pellegrini’s side suffered a reality check last week with a 2–0 loss at PAOK, a result that ended their three-match European winning streak. The "Engineer" knows that anything less than three points tonight could see them overhauled by the likes of Porto or Genk. Betis has been clinical at home, scoring 8 of their 11 league phase goals before the half-time whistle.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Crisis: The midfield is decimated. Isco (thigh), Giovani Lo Celso (muscle), and Sofyan Amrabat (ankle) are all out.

• Defensive Blows: Héctor Bellerín and Junior Firpo are sidelined, though Aitor Ruibal could make a timely return to the squad.

• The Brazilian Spark: Antony and Ez Abde are expected to provide the width, looking to supply Chimy Ávila.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Valles; Williams, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Marc Roca, Johnny Cardoso; Antony, Fornals, Ez Abde; Chimy Ávila.

Feyenoord: The Van Persie "Survival" Plan

Robin van Persie’s first European campaign as a head coach has been a rollercoaster. After five losses in their first six games, last week’s dominant win over Sturm Graz gave the Rotterdam giants a lifeline. However, they face a historic hurdle: Feyenoord is winless in their last 19 away games in the Europa League main draw (D7, L12).

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Emergency: In a catastrophic turn of events, Anel Ahmedhodžić, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, and Luciano Valente all picked up injuries last week. They join Thomas Beelen (broken leg) on the treatment table.

• Young Blood: 20-year-old Jan Plug is expected to start in a makeshift central defense.

• Form Player: Anis Hadj Moussa has four goal involvements in his last two games and will be the primary threat on the break.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Lotomba, Jan Plug, Gijs Smal, Jordan Bos; Hwang In-beom, Sem Steijn, Leo Sauer; Hadj Moussa, Ueda, Gonçalo Borges.

? League Phase Standings (The Bubble)

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

Betis will look to exploit Feyenoord’s lack of experienced center-backs by utilizing the creative passing of Pablo Fornals and the aggressive movement of Antony. Feyenoord, meanwhile, will likely sit deep and rely on the technical quality of Hwang In-beom to transition quickly to their dangerous front three.

While Feyenoord showed great spirit last week, their away record and defensive injury crisis make this a tall order in Seville. Expect Betis to start fast and manage the game professionally to secure their Round of 16 berth.

Final Score Prediction: Real Betis 2–0 Feyenoord