REAL BETIS

League position: 5th
Head coach: Manuel Pellegrini
22-23 top scorer: Borja Iglesias (6)

RECENT FORM

BETIS: W W L W D
ROMA: W L W L W

Pellegrini’s high-flying hosts are enjoying a fine start to the season and, as well as sitting just six points off the leaders in La Liga, they could secure top spot in Group C as early as this week.

That’s after making it three wins from three in the Europa League after beating the Giallorossi at the death last time out, albeit that victory came at a cost in the form of Nabil Fekir’s injury.

Roma have concerns of their own after top-scorer Paulo Dybala was substituted off after hitting the winner against Lecce at the weekend.

That victory ensured Roma bookmarked their loss at home to Betis with two Serie A wins, while their Spanish hosts have lost and drawn either side of last Thursday’s meeting at the Stadio Olimpico.

Possible Betis line-up

(4-2-3-1)

Bravo; Ruibal, Pezzella, Felipe, Miranda; Guardado, Rodriguez; Henrique, Canales, Joaquin; Jose

DANGER MAN
Luiz Henrique

Pellegrini has used the full depth of his squad in Europe this season, with his attack particularly being reshaped to balance duties across all competitions.

As a result, Willian Jose has been the main focal point in place of top-scorer Iglesias, while club legend Joaquin has operated from the flanks.

Fekir’s initial return from injury was meant to give Henrique a breather, too, but he came on after just 22 minutes in Rome as his French teammate pulled up with another setback.

It proved to be beneficial for the Spaniards, however, as Henrique set up one and then scored a late winner - a match-winning performance that will still be fresh in the mind of Jose Mourinho and his side.

MATCH STATS

Betis have a remarkable Europa League record at home and have never lost a group game in the competition at the Benito Villamarin (W6, D4), while they have won the last two.

While Roma lost the previous fixture, the Giallorossi have not suffered two European defeats in succession since December 2018.

Those losses seemed to inspire Roma, who have been red-hot since and have scored in 22 European away trips on the bounce.

As for this season, Roma have had more shots (61) and put more balls into their opponent's box (109) than any other team in the Europa League.

PLAYER STATS

• Joaquin is Betis’ record appearance maker in all competitions (456) and has represented the club 165 times more than Arzu (291) in second-place.
  
• Dybala has scored in each of his last two UEL outings.
  
• Dybala and Nicolo Zaniolo have had a total of 12 shots each in the 2022-23 tournament thus far, with Lorenzo Pellegrini just behind on 11. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (15) has made more attempts on goal.
  
• Defender Chris Smalling is Roma's second-highest scorer so far this season with three goals.

WHAT THEY SAID

“Coming top of the group isn’t our target anymore: they have nine points already and a home game against Helsinki to come.

"Now we have to focus on coming second in the group, that has to be our target. Obviously, with the risk of coming up against a good side from the Champions League."

- Jose Mourinho on UEL expectations after the Betis loss