Tonight’s referee
Irfan Peljto will become the first Bosnian to officiate a major Uefa club competition final on Wednesday.
The clash sees Chelsea looking to become the first-ever club to win all three European titles.
But Betis will prove to be their toughest test yet, with Premier League flops including Antony, Pablo Fornals and Gio Lo Celso shining under ex-Man City title winner Manuel Pellegrini.
Enzo Maresca’s men will have to be at their best just days after securing Champions League football with a fourth-place domestic finish.
However, their fate could end up in the hands of Peljto, who oversaw Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg win over Real Madrid in April.
The 40-year-old is held in high regard by Uefa, having also taken charge of a further six Champions League matches and four Europa League clashes this term.
However, back in his native Bosnia, Peljto was banned for six matches after overseeing an error-strewn game.
He was found guilty of making three major mistakes, with two errors involving his failure to award clear penalties.
September’s 1-1 derby draw between bitter rivals Zrinjski Mostar and Borac Banja caused plenty of controversy, with the Bosnian FA declaring both sides should have been awarded penalties on separate occasions.
Real Betis predicted XI
Cedric Bakambu is expected to lead the line as the 34-year-old looks to add to the seven goals he has scored so far this term in the Conference League.
Former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt, but he trained yesterday, so he could be fit enough to start, which would allow Pablo Fornals to go on the left flank.
Youssouf Salby is expected to start at right-back due to the injury-stricken Hector Bellerin.
Mudryk turns up in Chelsea kit to Maresca’s surprise
Mykhailo Mudryk is back in a Chelsea kit again after turning up unannounced at the Conference League final.
Head coach Enzo Maresca was taken by surprise when informed the troubled Ukrainian winger had popped up in Poland after months in the wilderness.
Mudryk is currently suspended from playing after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium while on international duty in November.
But it did not stop him making his own way to Wroclaw where he was spotted by fans wearing a club tracksuit in a steakhouse.
It’s believed he told them he is here to collect a medal after the final against Real Betis.
Maresca appeared caught off guard when it was put to him that the £62million wideman was in town.
He said: “To be honest, I just… Is he here or is he coming? He’s here. I’m happy for Misha to be here.
“I don’t know, I just said that. I’m happy for Misha to be here.”
Chelsea’s stunning European final history
Chelsea have reached seven Uefa finals in their history, winning six of them.
The Blues’ first European triumph came in 1971 when they beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a replay of the final to win the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Chelsea made it two from two in 1998 as Gianfranco Zola’s famous goal secured a 1-0 win over Stuttgart in the Cup Winners’ Cup final.
The Londoners’ perfect run came to an end in 2008 when the Blues lost to Manchester United on penalties in the Champions League final.
In 2012, Chelsea defied the odds and lifted their first Champions League trophy by beating Bayern Munich on spot kicks.
12 months later, the Blues made it back-to-back European trophies when they defeated Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final following their early Champions League exit.
In 2019, Chelsea added a second Europa League title with an emphatic 4-1 win over London rivals Arsenal in the final.
Finally, in 2021, the Blues returned to the top of European football after they beat Manchester City to be crowned Champions League winners for the second time.
Chelsea predicted XI
Nicolas Jackson is expected to slot straight back in up top after missing the last two Premier League games of the season due to suspension.
That will allow Pedro Neto to play in his more natural position out wide.
With Romeo Lavia ineligible, Moises Caicedo will likely play in a midfield two with Enzo Fernandez, with Reece James coming in at right-back.
Maresca could opt to start the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George after impressing in both legs of the semi-final.
Crazy scenes
Some more scenes from the street brawl in Poland.
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