Thu Feb 20 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Betis Favored to Secure Conference League Spot Against Gent
**Seville, Spain** – Real Betis are on the verge of advancing to the Conference League Round of 16 after their dominant 3-0 first-leg victory over Gent. The Spanish side, currently eighth in La Liga, welcomes the Belgian visitors to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Thursday for the second leg, holding a commanding lead.
Betis’ impressive first-leg win, fueled by goals from Antony, Cedric Bakambu, and Sergi Altimira, followed a similarly dominant 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday. Their recent league form at home had been shaky, but their Conference League home record is strong, with three wins and one draw in four matches this season.
Gent, who reached the Conference League quarterfinals in 2022-23, face a monumental task. Their first-leg defeat marked their first home loss in the competition this season. While they secured a comeback win in their domestic league on Sunday, their away record is poor, with only one win in their last 14 competitive away matches.
The match will feature several key absences. Betis will be without Roca, Lo Celso, Bellerin, Carvalho, Ortiz, Fornals, and Hernandez due to injury or omission from the squad. Gent will also be missing several players due to injury including Omgba, Hjulsager, Dean, Vandenberghe, Kotto, and Fadiga, though defender Torunarigha returns from suspension.
Despite Gent’s need for a strong offensive approach, analysts predict a comfortable win for Betis, suggesting the Spanish side will easily progress to the next round to face either Chelsea or Vitória de Guimarães.
First Piper 