Lille aim to start Champions League campaign with victory over Real Betis

Lille begin their European campaign against Real Betis at Stade Pierre Mauroy on Tuesday, with the French side looking to make home advantage count on the opening night of the Champions League league phase.

The match will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. Lille have won their past three Champions League matches against Spanish opposition, while Real Betis have struggled on previous visits to France.

The Spanish side arrive in northern France hoping to claim three points and make the perfect start to their campaign. However, Lille’s recent record and Real Betis’ away form suggest the hosts may enter the fixture as slight favourites.

The match takes place on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.

In France, the game will be shown on Canal+ Sport. It will also be available through New World Sport in sub-Saharan Africa, Proximus Pickx/Pickx+ Sports 4 in Belgium, Blue Sport/DAZN Germany in Switzerland, DAZN Canada/fuboTV Canada in Canada, Sport TV5 in Portugal, Amazon Prime Video in the United Kingdom, CBS/Paramount+ in the United States, beIN Sports HD 2/beIN SPORTS CONNECT in North Africa, and Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands.

Lille and Real Betis have met only in friendlies

Although this is the first official fixture between the clubs, they have previously faced one another in a friendly.

Their most recent meeting ended in a 2-2 draw on 28 July 2018, when Real Betis hosted Lille.

Real Betis’ record in official matches played in France is less encouraging. The Andalusian club have made five such trips, losing four and drawing one.

Lille, by contrast, have secured three consecutive Champions League victories against Spanish clubs.

Both teams arrive in strong form

Lille are preparing for their ninth appearance in the main phase of the Champions League. Their qualification follows the club’s best Ligue 1 season since 2021, while they have also reached the knockout stages of European competition for five successive seasons.

Davide Ancelotti will take charge of a team that has remained unbeaten since the start of the domestic campaign. Lille have recorded two wins and one draw so far.

Real Betis are returning to the Champions League for the first time in 21 years after finishing fifth in La Liga. Manuel Pellegrini’s side travel to France after an impressive 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, a result that confirmed their best start to a league season since 2015-16.

Despite that result, their away record remains a concern. Real Betis have won only two of their past 10 official away matches, drawing three and losing five.

Prediction

The victory over Real Madrid underlines Real Betis’ quality, but their difficulties on the road and Lille’s recent success against Spanish opposition point towards a narrow home win.

Africafoot’s prediction is a 2-1 victory for Lille in the opening round of the league phase.

The published betting prices listed Lille at 2.20 to win, with the draw at 3.40 and a Real Betis victory at 3.25.