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Valencia have won their last three Copa del Rey Finals, including beating Barcelona at Betis’ stadium three years ago. Real Betis are unbeaten in three meetings with los Che, including a 4-1 victory when they met in October.
Both teams to score is 3/4.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 5/4.
Real Betis to win and over 2.5 goals is 5/2.
Borja Iglesias is the joint-top scorer in this season’s Copa with four goals. He is 5/1 to break the deadlock and 8/5 to add to his tally.
Gonçalo Guedes stared as Valencia won this competition three years ago. He is 8/1 to open the scoring and 11/4 to net anytime.
Match preview
Just one of the last 11 finals haven’t featured either Real Madrid or Barca, that being the delayed 2020 showpiece between Basque rival Real Sociedad and Athletic.
So, without a ‘super club’ or even a clear favourite, what an opportunity this is for both to win lift silverware.
Having said that, Real Betis do come into this one as favourites, given that they’re five places and 15 points above Valencia in the table.
On Tuesday, almost certainly with this game in mind, Manuel Pellegrini’s side were beaten 1-0 by Elche, the winner coming eight minutes from time.
Before this, los Verdiblancos had amassed 11 points from their previous five games so sit fifth, just three points outside the Champions League places.
In this competition, Béticos have had some memorable victories en route to a first final for 17 years, none more so than in the round of 16.
That presented an el Gran Derbi against Sevilla, a match that was abandoned in the 39th minute after a flagpole struck Sevilla’s Joan Jordán.
When the two reconvened at an empty Benito Villamarín the next day, Sergio Canales scored the winner to get Betis through.
They’ve subsequently hammered Real Sociedad 4-0 away before a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory over Rayo Vallecano in the semi-finals.
Borja Iglesias close-range finish, in the 92nd minute no less, seeing them sneak through that tie.
Now, will Real Betis win major silverware for the first time since 2005?
Don’t write off Valencia though as they look to win their ninth Copa; only Barça, Athletic, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid can boast more.
To get here, los Murciélagos, just like Betis, began in the first round before notably ousting 2020 and 2021 finalists Athletic Club in the semis.
Following a 1-1 draw at San Mamés, Gonçalo Guedes’ rocket at Mestalla saw los Che get through.
In La Liga, José Bordalás’ side have slipped to tenth as a result of back-to-back defeats against Osasuna and then, on Tuesday, Villarreal.
So, if Valencia are going to get back into Europe next season, they’ll surely need to win this cup final.
Just three years ago, Valencia beat Barcelona to lift the cup which should give them confidence they can cause a not quite as seismic upset here.
Estadio de La Cartuja will be packed to the rafters, but which one of these two great clubs will be celebrating Copa del Rey glory?
Real Betis team news
It’s impossible not to mention Joaquín when discussing this match.
The 40 year old started Betis’ last Copa del Rey Final 17 years ago with his side beating Osasuna 2-1 at the now demolished Vicente Calderón.
These days, he’s more of a squad player, but what a story it would be if he started, which is certainly possible.
Top-scorer Juanmi and Nabil Fekir, who scored an Olimpico in the last 16 win over Sevilla, are guaranteed starters in forward areas.
The biggest decision for Manuel Pellegrini has to make is does he go with Willian José or Borja Iglesias up front?
Héctor Bellerín started and won three FA Cup Finals during his time with Arsenal and could return at right-back, over Youssouf Sabaly.
Claudio Bravo could displace Rui Silva in goal, looking to feature in a Copa final for the first time, despite having two winners’ medals to his name.
Centre-back Marc Bartra scored in the 2014 final as Barcelona were beaten by Real Madrid at Mestalla.
Valencia team news
Of the XI that started and won the 2019 final, just five are still at Valencia, with only four of those likely to feature here.
Jaume Doménech was in goal that night, but Giorgi Mamardashvili has donned the gloves for large periods of this season.
However, the Georgian isn’t likely to start either after Jasper Cillessen played for the first time since 19 January against Villarreal on Tuesday.
So, the Dutchman is set to make his first Copa del Rey appearance since the 2019 final when he was in goal for Barcelona against Valencia.
Captain and left-back José Luis Gayà has also been struggling for fitness lately, but should be ready to go, hoping to end the night with the trophy in his arms.
Yunus Musah hobbled off against Rayo Vallecano recently, but is fit so could join Carlos Soler and Uroš Račić as the midfield trio.
Gonçalo Guedes wasn’t in the squad in midweek, but is expected to be ready to go here.
So, he, Hugo Duro and Bryan Gil could lead the attack with Maxi Gómez currently out.
La Liga table:
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