Real Betis and Nottingham Forest face off in a continental curtain-raiser that marks the first-ever competitive meeting between these two storied clubs.
The Estadio Benito Villamarín will host this intriguing clash, with both sides fielding revamped squads and eager to make a statement as the 2025/26 campaign kicks off. With no prior head-to-head history, all eyes will be on which team can set the early tone in this group – and whether the new faces can gel quickly under the spotlight of European football.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Betis to Win | 23/20 @ Betway (46.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Home advantage and high-quality attacking signings give the hosts the edge. |
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | 4/6 @ Betway (60.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both squads packed with attackers; early-season defences may be vulnerable. |
Our approach: Start with Real Betis to win, add Both Teams to Score for accumulator potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date
With the new season only just kicking off, both Real Betis and Nottingham Forest are yet to play a competitive fixture. That means the standings remain unchanged, and every side starts on zero points, with all to play for in the group.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Real Betis | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Antony (Real Betis): The Brazilian winger is tipped to be a livewire up front and is best priced at 7/1 @ Betway (12.5%) to open the scoring – expect plenty of attempts on goal from him.
- Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis): Brings experience and an eye for goal; if he starts, he’s always a threat in the box.
- Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest): Nottingham Forest’s forward has the physicality to unsettle defenders – look for him to get on the end of Forest’s transitions.
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest): Creative spark from midfield, likely to be involved in any Forest breakthrough.
Head-to-Head
Last Meeting
This is the first ever competitive meeting between Real Betis and Nottingham Forest, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already fascinating tie.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | No previous meetings | – |
Conclusion
With both teams eager to start their European campaign on the front foot, the lack of historical baggage makes this a genuinely open contest. Will Real Betis make home advantage count and justify their status as favourites, or can Nottingham Forest’s energetic attack spring a surprise? For punters, the value looks to be with a Betis win at 23/20 @ Betway (46.5%), but the attacking talent on both sides hints at goals and drama in Seville.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.