Real Betis make their return to the Champions League after more than 20 years away on Tuesday. They begin their campaign against Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Ancelotti hoping to make his mark in Europe with Lille

This is a big night for Lille coach Davide Ancelotti, whose father Carlo has won this competition a record five times. The 37-year-old has made a promising start in France, and he should have a full squad to pick from, with the exception of the injured Hamza Igamane.

New signing Ayase Ueda came on to score as Les Dogues picked up their second Ligue 1 win at Toulouse last time out. The Japanese international scored 25 times in 31 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord last season.

Ueda is already pushing for a starting role, but the experienced Olivier Giroud may still be preferred against Betis. Ethan Mbappé and Dilane Bakwa are expected to operate out wide with the task of providing service to the striker.

Lille predicted lineup vs Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Özer; Santos, Ngoy, Alexsandro, Perraud; André, Bentaleb; E. Mbappé, Haraldsson, Bakwa; Giroud.

Real Betis to use Parrott off the bench again

Real Betis may make light changes following a surprise 1-0 victory over Real Madrid on Friday night. Manuel Pellegrini will want some fresh legs to come in, which will mean Marc Bartra and Rodrigo Riquelme will be involved.

Summer addition Troy Parrott netted the winner after coming on against Los Blancos. However, he may have to settle for the role of impact sub again. Cucho Hernández, who scored 11 times in 32 league outings last term, will continue up front.

The visitors have injury concerns over Diego Llorente and Aitor Ruibal. Ez Abde and Giovani Lo Celso could be available, but neither is likely to start following their recent fitness issues. Recent signing Dani Ceballos should also be part of the matchday squad.

Real Betis predicted lineup vs Lille (4-2-3-1): Valles; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, F. García; Roca, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Riquelme; C. Hernández.

Lille vs Real Betis Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Under 3.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.35 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Lille 1-1 Real Betis
  • 22Bet Booking Code: SBCUC

Key stats:

  • Seven of the previous eight competitive Lille fixtures produced two or fewer goals.
  • Including friendlies, four of the past five Real Betis games ended with 1-0 scorelines.
  • Los Verdiblancos have kept three clean sheets in four La Liga outings this season.

Aside from a shock 5-2 defeat at Levante when they rested a number of regulars, Real Betis have been more solid defensively. They managed to shut Real Madrid’s star-studded attack out last week, with Álvaro Valles impressing in goal with six saves.

Backing under 3.5 goals is a safe pick for this Champions League opener. Lille have kept clean sheets in seven of their previous 10 Ligue 1 fixtures, so both defences will take confidence into the game.

Lille vs Real Betis Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Real Betis to win or draw
  • Odds: 1.704 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: UMFUC

Real Betis to win or draw offers value at odds of 1.704. The Spanish side have technical quality across the midfield, with Ceballos coming in to supplement existing options such as Isco and Pablo Fornals.

Pellegrini’s team have avoided defeat in five of their previous seven competitive away fixtures. They averaged 1.75 points per road game in the initial phase of the Europa League last term.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals (1.35) — Lille 1-1 Real Betis