Match Preview
The new-look UEFA Europa League 2025/26 league phase reaches its climax as Real Betis host Feyenoord on Matchday 8 at the imposing Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. With all 36 teams ranked together in a single table, there are no dead rubbers – every point still affects knockout qualification, seeding and prize money.
Real Betis arrive in an excellent position. After five league-phase games they sit 5th in the overall standings, having collected 11 points from an unbeaten record of 3 wins and 2 draws, with eight goals scored and only three conceded. Their European campaign has featured statement wins against sides like Lyon and Utrecht, and they look well on course to secure a strong knockout path.
Feyenoord, by contrast, have endured a difficult league phase. The Dutch club are down in the bottom third of the table with just 3 points from five games (1 win, 4 defeats), scoring four and conceding nine. Their only victory so far came at home against Panathinaikos, while defeats to Aston Villa and a painful 3–1 home loss to Celtic have underlined their inconsistency at this level.
Tactically, this game sets up as a clash between Betis’ controlled aggression and Feyenoord’s high-tempo, risk-reward approach. Betis are likely to dominate possession, building patiently from the back, using their technical midfield to switch play and bring wide forwards into dangerous positions. They have become adept at turning sustained pressure into chances, especially at home in Spain.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, prefer an expansive style: pressing high, pushing full-backs on and looking to play forward quickly once they win the ball. That makes them dangerous in transition, but it also leaves space in behind if the press is broken. Away to a confident Betis side, the key for Feyenoord will be balancing their attacking instincts with better defensive discipline than they have shown in previous league-phase outings.
Given the standings, the motivation is clear. Betis are fighting to lock in a top-tier position that could move them closer to direct qualification for the later knockout rounds, while Feyenoord still have a mathematical chance to climb the table – but probably need something from this trip to Seville to keep those hopes realistic.
TV Broadcast and Livestreams
The Real Betis vs Feyenoord showdown will be available via multiple official Europa League broadcast partners. In the UK and Ireland, coverage is expected on TNT Sports, while across Europe many markets carry the game through platforms such as DAZN or local rights holders. In other regions, broadcasters like ESPN, beIN Sports, Paramount+ and national networks are likely to show the match. Fans should always check local listings and official competition guides for confirmed channels and streaming options in their country.
Match Information
| Date | Thursday 29 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 UTC / 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET (Seville local time) |
| Venue | Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain |
| Hosts | Real Betis Balompié (Spain) |
| Visitors | Feyenoord Rotterdam (Netherlands) |
| Matchday | UEFA Europa League 2025/26 – League Phase, Matchday 8 |
Form Guide
| Team | Europa League 25/26 (after 5 games) | Recent Form – All Competitions (last 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Real Betis | 5 matches – 3W, 2D, 0L (11 pts, GD +5) |
W W D D W
Includes impressive wins vs Sevilla, Utrecht and Lyon, plus draws with Girona and Valencia. |
| Feyenoord | 5 matches – 1W, 0D, 4L (3 pts, GD −5) |
L W L L L
League phase run features a home win vs Panathinaikos but defeats to Aston Villa and Celtic. |
Real Betis: In Europe and domestically, Betis have been in strong form. A 2–0 win away to Sevilla, a 2–1 home victory over Utrecht and a 2–0 Europa League success against Lyon have highlighted the blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair in the squad. They tend to control home games, press intelligently and make good use of wide areas and set pieces.
Feyenoord: Feyenoord’s league-phase results have been much more uneven. A 3–1 win over Panathinaikos showed their potential, but a 3–1 home defeat to Celtic and a 2–0 loss against Aston Villa have left them playing catch-up in the table. Despite the setbacks, they remain dangerous going forward, particularly when they can press high and break quickly through mobile forwards.
Standings Context – League Phase Table
| Pos* | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Real Betis | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 11 |
| 30 | Feyenoord | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 3 |
The combined Europa League league-phase table underlines the different trajectories of these two campaigns. Real Betis are firmly in the top cluster of teams, still unbeaten and boasting a positive goal difference after five games. A win on Matchday 8 would reinforce their position and move them closer to the automatic Round of 16 spots reserved for the top eight teams.
Feyenoord are down in 30th place, meaning they need a strong finish just to climb into a more respectable bracket. With only three points on the board and a negative goal difference, they face an uphill task to secure progression, but a surprise result in Seville could at least boost their ranking and restore some pride after a turbulent league-phase run.
*Positions and statistics refer to the situation after five league-phase rounds.
Tactical Keys to the Match
How Real Betis are likely to approach it
Playing effectively at “home” in Seville, Betis are expected to:
- Control possession through a technically strong midfield, circulating the ball and probing for gaps.
- Use overlapping full-backs and inverted wingers to create overloads in wide areas.
- Press Feyenoord aggressively when they try to play out, forcing turnovers in advanced zones.
- Target set pieces – corners and free-kicks – where their aerial presence can be decisive.
Where Feyenoord can cause problems
Despite their lowly position, Feyenoord retain attacking weapons that Betis must respect. The Dutch side can:
- Exploit transitions if Betis lose the ball with numbers committed forward.
- Use quick, vertical passing to get runners in behind Betis’ defensive line.
- Rely on individual quality from forwards and attacking midfielders in one-on-one situations.
- Press selectively to disrupt Betis’ first build-up phase and force rushed clearances.
If Betis manage to keep their shape when attacks break down and deny Feyenoord space between lines, the visitors may find clear chances hard to come by. But if the Spanish side overcommit and lose discipline, Feyenoord have enough pace to punish them.
Outlook and Score Prediction
Predicted Final Score: Real Betis 2–0 Feyenoord
Real Betis come into this match with momentum, an unbeaten Europa League record and the comfort of familiar surroundings in Seville. Their balance between a solid defensive structure and a productive attack makes them clear favourites on paper, and their league-phase performances so far suggest they will create enough chances to win the game.
Feyenoord will not lack motivation – their position in the league-phase table means they have everything to gain from a positive result. However, their defensive record in Europe, particularly away from Rotterdam, raises questions about whether they can contain Betis for 90 minutes without conceding.
The most likely scenario is a controlled performance from Betis, with the hosts using their passing game to dominate territory and gradually wear down the Dutch side. Feyenoord should have moments on the break, but Betis’ organisation and confidence could prove decisive. The forecast is therefore for a 2–0 win for Real Betis, consolidating their place among the top teams in this season’s Europa League league phase.
Note: Any reference to standings or performance is purely informational and based on publicly available data. If you follow football through betting or predictions, remember that gambling is strictly for adults and should always be approached responsibly and in accordance with local laws.