On Thursday night, Valencia host Real Betis at the Mestalla in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. The first leg at the Benito Villamarin ended 2-2, which makes Valencia are favourites to make it through to the final.
Valencia CF’s recent form has been decent, as Los Ches are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions. In fact, their last defeat in any competition was in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Getafe at the end of January.
Los Ches have been hard to beat at the Mestalla in recent months, as Marcelino’s team are now unbeaten on home soil in 13 games in all competitions, having recorded nine wins.
Valencia’s recent record in the Copa del Rey is slightly less consistent, as they have a patchy record in the competition. In fact, Los Ches have won four, drawn one and lost two of their last seven matches in the Copa. However, they have won six of their last seven home matches in the competition, including their last three games.
Real Betis’ recent form has been patchy, as a 2-0 win at Real Valladolid last time out ended a winless run of five games for the Andalucian’s in all competitions.
Betis’ recent poor form saw the visitors exit the Europa League at the hands of French side Rennes, so they will be desperate to atone for that exit by making the final of the Copa del Rey.
Incredibly, the visitors have failed to win any of their last five matches in the Copa del Rey, drawing all five games in 90 minutes. They needed extra-time to see off Espanyol in the last round while progressing past Real Sociedad by virtue of away goals in the round before that.
Forebet predicts that Valencia will record a victory in a high scoring clash to book their place in the Copa del Rey final.