Real Betis host Valencia on Thursday night in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. The two Spanish clubs are neck and neck in La Liga and knocking on the top four. Betis go into the first leg brimming with confidence following their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
Valencia are in great form and earned a hard fought 2-2 draw at Camp Nou against Barcelona at the weekend. Thursday night’s semifinal first leg will be an exciting affair with just 180 minutes separating one of the two clubs from the final.
Valencia disappointed in the early stages of the season. They fought relegation early on and crashed out of the Champions League in December. But Marcelino’s team rebounded without the extra burden of European football. Valencia have climbed the table and performed well in the Copa del Rey. Could the seven-times winner bring home the Copa del Rey trophy for the first time since 2008?
Betis have been far more consistent than their semifinal opponent this term. The team played above expectations in the Europa League and will compete in the last 32 when the tournament reconvenes. Betis have tallied 11 goals in six Copa del Rey matches.
Manager Quique Setien’s Beticos have not lost in the cup tournament this season earning wins over Real Santandar, two draws against Real Sociedad advancing on away goals, and an aggregate score win over Espanyol. Betis have allowed just four goals in the competition.
The last six matches between the clubs have seen two wins apiece and two draws. The clubs met at Valencia’s Mestalla in September in the league with the game ending in a nil-nil draw. Only two of their last six meetings have ended with over 2.5 goals. Meanwhile, four of the fixtures have seen at least one team held to a clean sheet.
Betis will have their home crowd behind them on Thursday night. The Beticos will be buoyed by the green side of Sevilla and it will help them pick up the win in the first leg. Betis have won six of 12 games at home this season with three ending in draws and three in losses. Meanwhile, Valencia have won just three times on their travels in La Liga. In addition, Valencia have lost twice in away games in the Copa del Rey this term. They have outscored opponents 10-5.
Valencia’s road woes will come back to haunt them at Betis. Setien’s team will pick up the win and gain the advantage going into the second leg of the semifinal. Betis will hold Valencia to a clean sheet and put one foot into the final.