Father versus son affair as Real Betis face Chelsea's in Conference League final

Real Betis will bid to upset pre-match favourites Chelsea in the Europa Conference League Final tonight, as an interesting father versus son scenario plays out in the background.

Spanish La Liga side Real Betis meet the English Premier League giants Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League final at Stadion Wrocław on Wednesday, 28 May.

Kenyan fans will be among the many worldwide watching proceedings keenly.

Kenya has a sizeable Chelsea fan base, while of interest to Manchester United fans will be whether Brazilian winger Antony will continue his great form. He is currently on loan from United to Betis.

A good omen for Betis is that the last time a La Liga club lost a major UEFA final to a foreign outfit was when Valencia were defeated by Bayern in the 2001 Champions League showpiece.

There will be intrigue too in the contest on the sidelines in Wroclaw.

Chelsea's Italian coach Maresca played under Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini as a midfielder at Málaga from 2011–12, and was then the Chilean's assistant at West Ham from 2018–19.

"He is like my professional dad," joked Maresca in the build-up to their reunion.

Betis fans, meanwhile, know Maresca from his four seasons as a player with their local rivals Sevilla, the Chelsea coach remembering that he scored the only goal in a derby win against Betis in November 2005.

"I know that they don't like me," he smiled.

Seville-based Real Betis have reached their first European final, but the task they face in Wroclaw is a daunting one.

Chelsea looked like title contenders from the start of the league phase, and Enzo Maresca's side come to Poland aiming for a unique first.

If they win tonight, they will become the first team to triumph in all five of UEFA's major men's senior club competitions, the Blues having already won two editions of the UEFA Champions League, two UEFA Europa Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups and two editions of the defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Kick off will be at 10 pm Kenyan time.

Possible line-ups

Real Betis: Adrián; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodríguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Bakambu

Doubtful: Ezequiel Ávila (hamstring), Lo Celso (muscular), Fran Vieites (calf), Sabaly (shoulder)

Out: Bellerín (hamstring), Diego Llorente (muscular), Marc Roca (foot)

.......

Chelsea: Jørgensen; James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Doubtful: Nkunku (unspecified), Guiu (unspecified)

Out: Wesley Fofana (hamstring), David Fofana (knee), Kellyman (hamstring)

.......

Form guide (Via UEFA)

Real Betis

Form (all competitions, most recent first): DLDDDW

Latest: Real Betis 1-1 Valencia, La Liga, 23/05

Where they finished: 6th in La Liga

Chelsea

Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWLWWW

Latest: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea, Premier League, 25/05

Where they finished: 4th in the Premier League