Bet Builders

Real Betis have scored in each of their last 20 games across all competitions.Manuel Pellegrini’s side have had to rely on their attacking talent to see them through games towards the end of the season resulting in end to end matches.It’s unlikely that Betis will be able to keep a clean sheet against the attacking talent of Chelsea given their recent defensive record which means Pellegrini is likely to endorse a more front footed approach.

Nicolas Jackson is far above the level of this competition and this was evident when he came on against Djurgarden in the semi final to score two goals in 45 minutes.He’s had 35 shots on target across his 30 appearances in the Premier League this season which is a record that has returned 10 goals for the striker.He should get opportunities here against a Real Betis backline that has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

Cardoso has won 27 fouls across his 24 starts in LaLiga this season (1.13 per 90) with this average dropping slightly in the Conference League (0.79 per 90). However, it’s quite likely that he will be in regular contests with an aggressive Chelsea midfield.His direct opponent is likely to be Enzo Fernandez who has committed 52 fouls across his 36 Premier League appearances this season (1.59 per 90).Cardoso will also contest duels against Moises Caicedo who is averaging 1.88 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea are strong favourites for this final, but Real Betis are no mugs and average the 4th most shots in La Liga with 13.6 per game. One of their shining lights in attack has been academy product Jesus Rodriguez, who has taken 1.94 shots per 90 across all competitions. He’s had 13 shots in 5 Conference League starts, including Bet365’s ‘Sub On, Play On’ offer and will be central to Betis’ chances if they’re to cause an upset.

Chelsea have only conceded 10.45 shots per game in all competitions this season, but despite dwarfing their opponents in this competition in terms of size, they’ve conceded 11.5 per game in Europe. Djurgardens managed 28 shots across both legs of the semi-final, and Legia Warsaw had 13 at Stamford Bridge, suggesting that if Betis are prepared to attack, they may well get some joy.

Considered by many in England to be an £85m flop, Antony will be desperate to prove the doubters wrong on the big stage. The Brazilian, who is on loan from Man United, has regained some of his reputation since his January move to Spain, and since signing for Betis, has averaged 2.95 shots per 90. In Conference League action, he’s had at least 3 shots in each of his last 3 starts with 14 efforts in total and with the extra motivation of showing English fans what he’s capable of, he should need no invitation to pull the trigger.

We’ve touched on Chelsea’s far from solid defensive record in this competition already, but in their last 3 matches, they’ve allowed the opposition right wingers to take 7 shots, largely due to full back Marc Cucurella’s attacking exploits. Antony faced Chelsea twice last season in a United shirt and managed 3 and 4 shots, and he feels like the type to thrive in the big occasion. 

Marc Cucurella continues to be given the freedom of Stamford Bridge going forward, and as such, has averaged 0.88 shots per 90 this season. He’s had at least 1 shot in 8 of his last 10 starts and has scored twice across those games and so confidence should be high. He’s been a bit part player in the Blues Conference League campaign, but has still taken 6 shots within his last 4 appearances in the competition, with the most he’s played in any of those games being 58 minutes. 

For all their attacking positives, Betis are far from solid at the other end, allowing their opponents in La Liga 11 shots per game. The only side comparable in stature to Chelsea that they’ve faced in the Conference League were semi-final opponents Fiorentina, who managed 23 shots in the second leg, and so Chelsea and Cucurella should get plenty of opportunities.