Vitoria had a fruitful league phase. They won four and drew two out of their six matches, which enabled them to finish second and earn an automatic berth in the last 16.

Last week in Andalusia, they put up a tough fight and kept their European unbeaten record intact. Joao Mendes and Nelson Oliveira each scored to cancel out goals from Cedric Bakambu and Isco respectively, and they went back to Portugal with a 2 - 2 draw.

In Sunday's Primeira Liga match against the bottom - placed Boavista, Luis Freire's team again had to come from behind. Thanks to Ilija Vukotic's goal and a penalty by Tiago Silva, they secured a 2 - 1 victory.

Despite that win, Vitoria has now gone seven competitive matches without a loss since being defeated 1 - 0 by Estoril at the end of January.

Having played their last two matches away, Vitoria will now return to Estadio D. Afonso Henriques. Since losing 3 - 0 to Porto in September, they have won seven and drawn six of their 13 home games across all competitions at this stadium.

The Portuguese side will hope that home advantage can help them claim their first win over Betis after failing to do so in their previous three competitive matches against the Spanish club (D1, L2).

Betis had to negotiate a knockout round playoff tie to secure their spot in the last 16 after finishing in 15th place in the league phase with 10 points from six matches.

Los Verdiblancos claimed a 3-0 victory over Gent in the away leg of their playoff clash, and while they lost 1-0 at home in the return fixture, they ultimately did enough over the two matches to reach the last 16 of a UEFA competition for the third time in four seasons.

Manuel Pellegrini's side would have been disappointed to draw at home with Vitoria last week, leaving them with work to do in the second leg if they are to reach the quarter-final stage of European competition for the first time since the 1997-98 Cup Winners' Cup.

They will at least travel to Portugal on the back of a narrow win after recording a 1-0 home victory over 10-man Las Palmas at the weekend, with Diego Llorente scoring the decisive goal to guide his team to a fourth consecutive La Liga win.

Thursday's visitors will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, having found the net in nine of their previous 10 competitive away matches.

Betis have a mixed bag of results on their travels in the Conference League this season after winning two and losing two of their away games in the main draw.

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Bruno Gaspar, Gustavo Silva and Jesus Ramirez due to injury.

Queens Park Rangers loanee Hevertton could return to the lineup after dropping down to the bench for Sunday's league win over Boavista.

Freire could also opt to recall Mikel Villanueva, Umaro Embalo, Silva and Oliveira to the starting XI for Thursday's second leg.

Meanwhile, Betis are unable to call upon Marc Roca and Giovani Lo Celso, who are continuing to work their way back from foot and muscle injuries respectively.

Forward Chimy Avila is available for selection after he served a one-match suspension at the weekend for an accumulation of yellow cards.

William Carvalho is not quite ready to return from a lengthy absence, while Cucho Hernandez is ineligible after being left out of the Conference League squad for the knockout rounds.

Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has been included in the travelling party, but there is still some doubt as to whether he will be fit to start due to a small physical issue.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Heverton, Borekovic, Villanueva, J.T. Mendes; Silva, Handel; Embalo, Mendes, Arcanjo; Oliveira

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Vieites; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Fornals, Altimira; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu