The clubs from Seville and Vigo face Panathinaikos and Lyon, respectively, this midweek, while they also hope to return to continental competition in 2026/27.
This week is a very important one for both Real Betis and RC Celta. They are Spain’s two representatives in this season’s Europa League and they are both in action on Thursday night, when the Europa League Round of 16 gets underway. They’ll then face each other on Sunday in Matchday 28 of LALIGA EA SPORTS, before tackling their Europa League second legs next midweek. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
For these two clubs, it has been a successful campaign so far. In the LALIGA EA SPORTS table, Real Betis currently sit fifth and RC Celta sixth, meaning they’d both be on course to qualify for continental competition again in 2026/27. That is one of the main objectives this season for both clubs, as is going as far as possible in this season’s Europa League.
Real Betis: Aiming to reach another European final
Manuel Pellegrini’s side came so close to lifting a European trophy last season, when they reached the final of the Conference League, ultimately losing to Chelsea in the final. Now in a higher tier UEFA competition, the competitiveness remains the same and Los Verdiblancos are hoping to go all the way in the Europa League.
They had an excellent league phase, finishing fourth out of 36 teams, so have every right to feel confident. After earning a bye straight into the Round of 16, the club from Seville will take on Greek side Panathinaikos. The first leg is away from home, before a second leg in front of the faithful Real Betis fans at the Estadio de la Cartuja next week.
RC Celta: Back in Europe and hoping for another deep run
In the case of RC Celta, this is their first season back in European action since the 2016/17 campaign. Then, they went all the way to the semi-finals, losing narrowly to eventual winners Manchester United.
It’s a new era at Balaidos under the highly rated Claudio Giráldez, and this squad also feels they can go all the way. Having defeated Real Madrid away in LALIGA EA SPORTS earlier this season, Os Celestes have already demonstrated that they can compete against Europe’s best.
In the league phase they experienced some ups and downs, ultimately finishing 16th, but they comfortably dispatched PAOK 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff round to set up a Last 16 tie against French side Lyon, with the first leg in Vigo this week.
Real Betis vs RC Celta: A fixture dominated by the Galicians in recent seasons
Regardless of what happens on the continent on Thursday night, both these clubs understand the importance of Sunday’s clash in LALIGA EA SPORTS. Real Betis sit fifth on 43 points and RC Celta are sixth on 40 points, so it’s a crucial six-pointer in this year’s European qualification race.
This is a fixture that the Galician outfit have had the upper hand in over the past few years. Of their past nine meetings, RC Celta have won five, there have been three draws and Real Betis have won just one. It was a 1-1 draw when they met earlier this season in Vigo, and now they’ll face off again in one of the biggest weeks of the season for both clubs.
