Real Betis look set to have Giovani Lo Celso fit for their Conference League final showdown with Chelsea tonight.
The former Tottenham attacking midfielder has featured regularly for Manuel Pellegrini’s side since returning to the Estadio Benito Villamarin in a last-gasp cut-price deal last summer, but missed out on the 1-1 home draw with Valencia on Friday evening as Betis finished the 2024/25 LaLiga season in sixth place.
Lo Celso had initially been considered a doubt to face Chelsea in Wroclaw on Wednesday night, but was seen training normally in an open session held at the stadium on Tuesday afternoon, alongside the likes of Johnny Cardoso, Ricardo Rodriguez and Fran Vieites.
Senegal right-back Youssouf Sabaly is also expected to be fit, though Betis remain without former Arsenal stalwart Hector Bellerin, as well as Diego Llorente, Marc Roca and Chimy Avila.
Pellegrini has to decide whether to go with Vieites or Adrian in goal on Wednesday, with the former having started in the Conference League since Rui Silva joined Sporting Lisbon in January but ex-West Ham and Liverpool man Adrian typically getting the nod in LaLiga.
Sabaly should continue to deputise for Bellerin at right-back, with Marc Bartra and Napoli loanee Natan the likely central defensive pairing and Rodriguez on the left.
Tottenham transfer target Cardoso will be in the engine room, with Pellegrini seeking to strike the right balance with plenty of attacking options including another ex-West Ham player in Pablo Fornals, plus impactful Manchester United loanee Antony and former Real Madrid star Isco.
Sergi Altimira is another potential option in midfield, while Cedric Bakambu should lead the line. Abde Ezzalzouli could retain his place if Lo Celso is not ready to start.
Predicted Real Betis XI: Adrian, Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez, Johnny, Fornals, Antony, Isco, Lo Celso, Bakambu
Injured: Bellerin, Llorente, Roca, Avila
Doubt: Lo Celso
Venue: Stadion Miejski, Wroclaw (Poland)
How to watch: TNT Sports
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
