Real Betis vs Fiorentina Conference League preview: where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news

Real Betis welcome Fiorentina to Seville in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final tie.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Conference League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

Real Betis will contest their first-ever European semi-final after containing Jagiellonia in Bialystok to make the most of their quarter-final first-leg victory in Andalusia. There is plenty of European experience within Manuel Pellegrini's squad, with midfield options including Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, and Pablo Fornals, part of the West Ham squad that defeated semi-final opponents Fiorentina in the 2023 Conference League final. "I think it's time to enjoy it all and leave it all on the pitch," advised Fornals as his side target a first European final.

Runners-up in the past two Conference League seasons, Fiorentina will be hoping that a third consecutive semi-final success can position them to take that final step. "We have to keep it up because we want to go as far as possible in the Conference League," said midfielder Rolando Mandragora after a tense 4-3 aggregate win over Celje in the quarter-finals. Should Mandragora continue his fine scoring form (five goals in his last six Conference League outings) then the Viola will be set up nicely for the second leg in Florence.

Possible line-ups

Real Betis: Vieites; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodríguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Jesús Rodríguez; Bakambu

Fiorentina: De Gea; Pongračić, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Folorunsho, Mandragora, Cataldi, Fagioli, Parisi; Gudmundsson, Kean 

Form guide

Real Betis

Form: WWDLWD
Latest: Real Betis 5-1 Valladolid, La Liga, 24/04

Fiorentina

Form: WWDDWD
Latest: Fiorentina 2-1 Empoli, Serie A, 27/04

Form includes all competitive games in the 2024/25 season; the most recent result is listed first. For statistical purposes, penalty shoot-outs do not count towards results.

Reporter's view

Simon Hart, match reporter: In-form Betis will enter their first European semi-final buoyed by a run of nine wins and just one loss in 13 matches – including a 5-1 home triumph over Valladolid last Thursday. Fiorentina can draw on the experience of victories at this stage in each of the past two seasons as they seek a third straight Conference League final appearance. Unbeaten in nine in all competitions, they hope to have top scorer Moise Kean back after he missed their last two fixtures for personal reasons.

Views from the camps

Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis coach: "Playing the return match in Florence will not be easy, so it is essential that we get a result [at home]. Fiorentina are a very strong team, and the details will make all the difference. We have to prove ourselves game by game and not think that we are going to win because of what we have done before."

Raffaele Palladino, Fiorentina coach: "The squad are doing well, we are fired up and highly motivated to put in a great performance. The biggest mistake tomorrow would be to play without courage and character. We know this is one of the most passionate atmospheres in Spain, but we talked about it and we are ready to have our say."

Isco, Real Betis captain: "I'm eager to win a title with Real Betis. At Madrid I won everything a kid dreams of and here at Betis I'm enjoying a second childhood. I just wish I'd come two or three years earlier so I could have enjoyed more time this team and these fans. I came here to win."

Robin Gosens, Fiorentina midfielder: "We need to be happy to be here and enjoy the moment. Reaching a European semi-final doesn't happen every year. I try to bring the winning mentality to my team-mates. I have European experience and will try and bring it to the team in this game."