We have the Copa del Rey second leg Semi-Finals to preview with you with the first coming from the Bernabeu where Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad for the return leg, Carlo Ancelotti’s side won the first leg by one goal to nil so they are in a good position to reach the final. The homeside are on a three game winning streak in La Liga where they have beaten Rayo Vallecano at home (2-1), Villareal away (1-2) and Leganes (3-2).
Ancelotti’s side also beat rivals Atletcio Madrid on penalties 4-2 in the Champions League last 16 which has now set up a fixture against Arsenal. The last ten fixtures between the two sides have ended with six victories to Real, three draws and one defeat so you’d have to say that the obvious result is a home victory.
The La Liga title is still in the balance with Real and Barcelona level on points but the Madrid side have played an extra game so they can just hope the Catalan side slip up.
The visitors here face an uphill task, Imanol Barrenetxea’s side haven’t won here since 2019. That game ended with a 0-2 victory in La Liga where the same manager was in charge and Real had Santiago Solari in charge. They bounced back from a disappointing Europa League exit to Man United with remaining unbeaten in their last two league games, where they drew away to Rayo Vallecano (2-2) and then a home victory to Real Valladolid (2-1) at the weekend.
They sit 10th in the table with their form on the road being an issue, they have lost seven games out of 14. We can’t see anything other than a home victory here but if the visitors score an early goal maybe it will open the tie up a little. Kick off 20.30pm Tuesday Live on Premier Sports 1.
Best odds for this fixture can be found at American betting sites for UK here: Real Madrid ⅓, Real Sociedad 8/1 and the Draw 9/2.
The second Semi-Final comes from the Riyadh Air Metropolitano where Atletcio Madrid welcome Barcelona for the second leg. Diego Simone’s side clawed back a 4-2 deficit to end the first leg 4-4 with Marcos Llorente and substitute Alex Sorloth scoring in the last ten minutes of the game. This sets up a really great game for the mutuals and we can see another goal bonanza this time.
The homesides form has somewhat dipped as of late, they suffered a first leg defeat to Real Madrid (2-1), then a defeat in the league away to Getafe (2-1). They did bounce back with a 90 mins victory over Real Madrid beating them 1-0 but lost on penalties (4-2). The last two games in La Liga have ended with a home defeat to Barcelona (2-4) and a away draw with Espanyol (1-1). This is a cup game so anything can happen but they aren’t arriving here priming with confidence.
The visitors Barcelona on the other hand are on a nineteen unbeaten run in all competitions, Hans-Dieter Flick’s side last suffered defeat back in the end of December losing at home to Atletico Madrid (1-2). They took the lead that day but a 96th minute goal lost them the league game.
They had a slow start to the season but since the New Year they have been a different proposition, the league title is in their hands so they just need to keep winning games. They have a Champions League Quarter-Final tie against German side Dortmund around the corner but first up is a potential Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
We expect a 90 minutes full of end to end football but who will be victorious and go through?
Best odds for this fixture can be found at gambling sites that take credit cards here: Atletico Madrid 2/1, Barcelona 13/10 and the Draw 11/4 Kick off 20.30pm Wednesday Live on Premier Sports 1
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