Real Betis vs Zenit Saint Petersburg betting tips: Europa League preview, predictions and odds

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Real Betis have lost just three of their last 25 UEFA Cup/ Europa League home matches, dating back to 1982. Zenit St Petersburg meanwhile are winless in 18 European away matches.

So, Real Betis to win is 19/20.

Real Betis to win and both teams to score NO is 13/5.

Borja Iglesias has scored 13 goals this season, including three in the Europa League, and is 9/2 to open the scoring and 13/10 to add to his tally.

Match preview

RCD Mallorca v Real Betis - La Liga Santander MALLORCA, SPAIN - AUGUST 14: Juanmi Jimenez of Betis celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga Santader match between RCD Mallorca and Real Betis at Estadi de Son Moix on August 14, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

After a goal-fest of a first leg in Russia, Real Betis are looking to finish the job back in Andalucía.

A week ago, Béticos looked like running away with this tie, racing into a 2-0 lead at Krestovsky Stadium.

Guido Rodríguez headed home an eighth minute opener, getting on the end of Joaquín's free-kick, before Willian José slotted home a second.

However, Zenit fought back and, by the half hour mark, the game was level thanks to two quick-fire goals of their own.

Artyom Dzyuba halved the deficit with a trademark towering header before Wendel played in Malcom who finished from an acute angle.

The fifth and final goal of the night came just before the interval and this one went to Betis; Yaroslav Rakitskyi lost possession and Andrés Guardado made him pay.

So, Manuel Pellegrini's men departed with a 3-2 advantage, needing to avoid defeat on home turf to reach the round of 16.

This just los Verdiblancos' fifth European campaign this century with their best runs coming in the Cup Winners' Cup, reaching the 1978 and 1998 quarters.

However, based on their domestic form, Béticos are going to take some stopping this time round.

On Sunday, Álex Moreno and José got the goals in a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca, maintaining their positition in third.

Will they now stay on track to reach the Europa League Final which is taking place at the home of their fierce cross-city rivals Sevilla?

Zenit Saint Petersburg meanwhile won won this competition in 2008 but have appeared in just one quarter-final, 2015, since then.

This is the first time they're competing in the knockout phase for four seasons having finished third in their Champions League group, above only Malmö.

Domestically, Zenitchiki are on course for a fourth successive Russian Premier League title, sat two points clear of Dynamo Moskva.

Now though, to keep their European ambitions alive, Sergei Semak's side must become the first Zenit team to win a knockout match in Spain.

Will Real Betis press home their first leg advantage at Estadio Benito Villamarín?

Real Betis team news

Picture33 BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona takes on Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at Camp Nou on November 07, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Given Betis' packed schedule, this'll be their 13th match in 53 days, Manuel Pellegrini must continue to rotate his squad.

Nabil Fekir was suspended for the first leg in Saint Petersburg but is back now and may well start as the number ten.

Centre-back Germán was rested at the weekend but, if he returns, will have to be careful as he's one yellow card away from a ban of his own.

Martín Montoya is out but they have good right-back options with Youssouf Sabaly and Héctor Bellerín having started the last two respectively.

Juanmi could be the danger-man, looking to add to his 16 goals so far this campaign.

Zenit Saint Petersburg team news

FBL-EUR-C1-ZENIT-CHELSEA Magomed Ozdoev celebrates with teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Chelsea at the Gazprom Arena stadium in Saint Petersburg on December 8, 2021. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP) (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Zenit meanwhile have had a week to prepare for this one; their league campaign resumes on Monday night against Rubin Kazan.

At the back, captain Dejan Lovren missed the first leg with an injury so, if he's still out, Dmitriy Chistyakov will partner Yaroslav Rakitskyi again.

First-choice goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk is also injured and Mikhail Kerzhakov will get the nod over 19 year old Daniil Odoyevsky as the deputy.

In midfield, Wílmar Barrios' booking in the first leg means he's one more away from a suspension, which'll matter zilch if his team are eliminated.

The same front three could be deployed, featuring Claudinho and first leg scorers Malcom and Artyom Dzyuba.

Yuri Alberto, who joined from Internacional last month, made his debut off the bench a week ago and could be a substitute once more.

La Liga table:

Russian Premier League table:

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