The UEFA Europa Conference League final is upon us as Chelsea take on Real Betis with the trophy to end the season the only big incentive ahead.

Unlike the UEFA Europa League final, which had both teams fighting for a coveted place in next season’s Champions League, the Conference League only offers an entry into next season’s Europa League. The fact that neither finalist needs to qualify to another European competition through victory on Wednesday, the only incentive in this showdown is winning a trophy to end the season with silverware.

Unlike Chelsea, Real Betis are vying to win their first-ever European trophy, and they will rely on the experience of Manuel Pellegrini to take them over the line. Los Verdiblancos had to overcome the challenge posed by Italian side Fiorentina, and it took a 97th-minute winner from Abde Ezzalzouli to seal passage to the final.

Real Betis are seen as a valid competitor for the trophy, and it will be their target to get their hands on the Conference League title at the end of Wednesday night. It has been nearly 20 years since the two sides met in a competitive game as Chelsea won against their Spanish opponents 4-0 in the 2005/06 Champions League group stage.

Unlike Real Betis, Chelsea made light work of their semi-final clash with Swedish outfit Djurgardens IF, winning 5-1 on aggregate. Enzo Maresca was under real pressure for most parts of the season to achieve the club’s objective of qualifying for the Champions League.

It took a good run in the last few games of the season and into the final match to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League. Chelsea came out as 1-0 winners away at Nottingham Forest in a final-day thriller at the City Ground.

Much like Real Betis, Chelsea do not need a place in the Europa League next season through a win on Wednesday, meaning, they will only play this final to win the Conference League. Adding the third-tier European trophy would also mean the Blues have won every possible continental trophy there is to win.

Team News & Tactics

Real Betis

Real Betis are missing a few key players ahead of this big final against Chelsea. Right-back and ex-Arsenal man Hector Bellerin picked up a hamstring injury against Fiorentina, forcing him to miss this clash, as he was then ruled out for the remainder of the season. There are others like Marc Roca, Diego Llorente, and Chimy Avila who are likely to miss this showdown with injury issues.

The other big doubt is the participation of Giovani Lo Celso, who has muscular discomfort and did not train as of Saturday. On the positive side, Youssouf Sabaly and Johnny Cardoso are likely to shake off their minor problems and be available for selection, and Manuel Pellegrini will want them to give as much as possible in this final.

Sabaly’s availability will be more important than ever given Bellerin will miss out. Similarly, Cardoso will be important for their midfield setup as his partnership with Pablo Fornals, with Isco in the advanced attacking role for Real Betis.

Manchester United loanee Antony will be attracting all the attention in this clash as he will be stationed on the right wing for Pellegrini’s team, while semi-final matchwinner Ez Abde will play off the left wing. 34-year-old Cedric Bakambu will want to add to his tally of seven Conference League goals, and he is only one behind current top scorer Afimico Pululu of Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Bakambu

Chelsea

Chelsea are under no real pressure to win this game, but they would like to add this trophy to their otherwise stacked cabinet. Enzo Maresca could still make some key changes in several departments, and hand some of the fringe stars who have helped them reach the final their chance to shine.

Wesley Fofana is certainly out of contention, but there is a chance for Christopher Nkunku to make a return, with Maresca confirming the attacker has turned up fit. It remains to be seen whether the Frenchman gets a place in the starting lineup, as Maresca will also have Nicolas Jackson, who missed the last two Premier League games with a suspension, meaning, he too could have a good chance to lead the line.

Midfielder Romeo Lavia is ineligible for the Conference League, meaning Moises Caicedo could have the keys to the midfield, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall likely to partner him instead of Enzo Fernandez. Trevoh Chalobah, Filip Jorgensen, and Malo Gusto are all in with the chance to start on Wednesday.

If not Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo might start alongside Benoit Badiashile, with Reece James and Marc Cucurella likely to be part of the backline. Noni Madueke will possibly occupy the right-wing slot, with Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho featuring alongside Jackson in the attacking setup.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James; Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Key Stats

• Real Betis and Chelsea meet for the first time since 2005, when they faced off in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Real Betis won the last fixture 1-0 on home turf, while Chelsea eased to a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
• Real Betis are winless in their last five games.
• Real Betis have lost only once in their last ten games across all competitions.
• Chelsea have won seven of their last eight games across all competitions.
• Chelsea have won all but two of their 14 European games this season.

Player to Watch

Antony

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The Manchester United flop has been sensational since he made his loan move to Real Betis. The Brazilian recently opened up about the problems he has had at Manchester United while hinting that he does not want to return. He was also crucial in Real Betis getting to this final, following his stellar performance in the semi-final against Fiorentina.

Antony will want to make a big point with another top-notch performance in this final and help Real Betis win their first-ever European trophy. He could earn a move away from Manchester United with such a performance, and it will certainly help him land a good deal elsewhere, as the Brazilian, even against the many top-rated stars at Chelsea, can stand out.

Prediction

Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea

Real Betis will certainly put their heart into this final as they aim to win their first-ever European trophy. However, they have not been in the best of form coming into this game, and that may hamper their ability to get a win over a Chelsea side who are brimming with confidence after winning seven of their last eight games across all competitions.

Moreover, Enzo Maresca has a squad big enough to rotate as well as influence off the bench if the game does not go in his direction. Chelsea have plenty more firepower to get the win and add a different European trophy to Chelsea’s cabinet. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Maresca and his charges.