Europa Conference League Final 2024/25: History, Head-to-Head, Where to Watch, Team News & Players to Watch | OneFootball

Europa Conference League glory is up for grabs as Real Betis and Chelsea square off at Stadion Wrocław in Poland on Wednesday.

The final kicks off at 8.00 pm (BST) in Wroclaw, with both teams seeking a piece of history as the Europa Conference League prepares to crown a new champion.

Betis could take home a first-ever continental honour in their maiden European final after overcoming back-to-back beaten finalists Fiorentina in the semi-finals.

Los Verdiblancos will be out to rewrite their history books and win their second major title under ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini after an iconic 2021/22 Copa del Rey triumph.

Looking to stop them in their tracks are Chelsea, who could become the first team ever to win all five major UEFA competition titles and the second English team to ascend the Europa Conference League throne.

Unlike their opposition, Enzo Maresca’s side strolled into the Wroclaw showpiece, beating Swedish outfit Djurgarden 5-1 on aggregate in a one-sided last-four tie.

Historic milestone

Forced to live in Sevilla’s shadow for much of their history, Betis now have a golden opportunity to carve out their legacy on the European stage, yet the omens don’t look good.

Pellegrini’s charges played out a 1-1 draw against Valencia in the final La Liga round on Friday to secure UEFA Europa League qualification via a sixth-placed league finish.

That result extended their winless streak in all competitions to five games (D4, L1), which is hardly an ideal warm-up for this historic showdown.

Betis’ all-time record against English opposition spells further trouble, with the Andalusian side winning just one of their eight previous clashes against Premier League clubs (D1, L6).

As if that’s not troubling enough, Los Verdiblancos failed to score more than once on each occasion, further derailing their hopes of becoming the first Spanish team to win the Conference League title.

Against this backdrop, Betis’ quick-fire starts in this competition have seen them draw first blood in 12 of their 13 Conference League encounters.

Unprecedented success beckons for Chelsea

No team has ever won all five major UEFA competition titles.

However, Chelsea could etch their name into the history books by becoming the first club to complete the full set after making light work of Europe’s third-tier competition this season.

Except for a meaningless 2-1 second-leg home loss to Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals, Maresca’s charges have won all 11 remaining Europa Conference League fixtures.

This season’s league phase was plain sailing for the Blues as they locked down the spot with all six victories and a jaw-dropping goal difference of +21 (GF:26, GA:5).

Unwilling to rest on their laurels, they’ve continued to rain down terror in the tournament, breaking Fiorentina’s record for the most goals scored in a single Europa Conference League campaign (38).

Fresh off beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 on the final Premier League weekend to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in three years, Chelsea will take the field in a buoyant mood.

Despite having two fewer days to recover than their opponents, they will be confident of wrapping their hands around the trophy, just as they did in their last four European finals.

Head-to-Head

Betis and Chelsea shared the stage in the 2005/06 Champions League group phase, with both teams winning their home matches.

Los Verdiblancos ran out 1-0 victors in Spain, while the Blues repaid the favour with a thumping 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniards have since lost both European meetings with English opposition by a combined score of 5-1, making it for bleak reading ahead of the final.

Chelsea have faced Spanish clubs in UEFA competitions more often than teams from any other country, with this being their 52nd such fixture.

While the overall record is somewhat indifferent (W20, D18, L13), the Premier League club will be eager to break an unwanted tradition in Poland.

Spanish clubs have emerged victorious from 11 of their 16 UEFA knockout finals against English opposition, including the last nine on the trot.

Where to watch?

Fans in the United Kingdom can tune in for the Europa Conference League final live on TNT Sports 1. United States supporters can watch the final on Paramount+.

Fans unable to watch the game on television but hoping to catch live action via streaming platforms can check out the Chelsea streaming sites for the best online experience.

Team news

Betis boss Pellegrini cannot call upon Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente and Marc Roca for this history-defining fixture.

Chimy Avila, Giovani Lo Celso and Youssouf Sabaly are in doubt, though the latter should start at right-back.

Johnny Cardoso’s recovery is encouraging, especially considering Betis have not registered William Carvalho for their European games.

As for Chelsea, Wesley Fofana is the most notable absentee, alongside Mykhailo Mudryk, who failed a drug test.

Teenage midfielder Omari Kellyman is ruled out with a hamstring problem, while Christopher Nkunku remains a doubt.

Potential starting line-ups

Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Bakambu.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Players to watch

Antony

Pellegrini could become the oldest coach to lift a major European title, and the 71-year-old likely put his fate into the hands of Man Utd loanee Antony.

The Brazilian has been nothing short of outstanding since swapping Old Trafford for Estadio Benito Villamarin in January, establishing himself as one of La Liga’s best wingers.

He has been in scintillating form in the Europa Conference League, tallying four goals and three assists in eight knockout appearances to help Betis reach the final.

Nicolas Jackson

Cole Palmer’s noticeable drop-off in the second half of the season has heightened the pressure on Nicolas Jackson, who missed Sunday’s game at the City Ground due to suspension.

Despite his well-documented wastefulness in front of goal, Jackson has been a talismanic figure for Chelsea, with his last seven club goals coming in their victories.

The 23-year-old hasn’t been Maresca’s first choice in the Europa Conference League, but he has netted twice in as many appearances in the competition.