Betis vs Nottingham Prediction & Betting Tips (24 September)

Real Betis welcome Nottingham Forest to the Estadio Benito Villamarín on September 24 for their Europa League opener, with both sides eager to shake off recent domestic frustrations. Betis, under the steady hand of Manuel Pellegrini, have shown flashes of control and creativity but remain inconsistent, drawing three of their last five La Liga matches. Their most recent outing—a 2-2 draw against Levante—saw Pablo Fornals and Cucho Hernández find the net, but defensive lapses continue to haunt them. Pellegrini’s midfield remains the engine, yet the backline’s vulnerability has become a recurring theme.

Nottingham Forest, led by Nuno Espírito Santo, arrive in Seville nursing wounds from a brutal run of Premier League defeats. Conceding 11 goals in their last five matches, including a 3-0 loss to Arsenal, Forest’s defensive frailty is glaring. Despite a promising start to the season with a win over Brentford, their form has nosedived, and the absence of clean sheets in 13 consecutive matches underscores their struggle. Espírito Santo has leaned heavily on Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi for attacking spark, but the midfield’s inability to shield the defense has left them exposed.

This clash promises a tactical duel between Pellegrini’s possession-heavy approach and Espírito Santo’s counter-attacking blueprint. Betis will likely dominate the ball, probing for gaps through Fornals and Isco, while Forest will rely on quick transitions and set-piece opportunities. The Spanish side’s home advantage and superior cohesion give them the edge, but Forest’s unpredictability and hunger to rebound could make this a tightly contested affair. Expect both teams to find the net, with Betis exploiting Forest’s defensive lapses late in the game.

Our prediction leans toward a 2-1 victory for Real Betis. The Andalusians’ ability to control tempo and capitalize on defensive errors should see them edge past a Forest side still searching for rhythm. While the English outfit may snatch a goal through a moment of individual brilliance, Betis’ structured play and home support are likely to tip the balance. It won’t be a walkover, but the Spanish side should open their Europa League campaign with three points.