It is a big Copa del Rey night in Seville. Real Betis host Atletico Madrid at the Estadio La Cartuja with a place in the semi-finals on the line. No second leg. No safety net. Just ninety minutes, maybe more, to decide who stays alive.
Betis come into this tie feeling good. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won their last two games and are fifth in La Liga. Their Copa del Rey run has been smooth and confident, scoring freely and avoiding drama. This competition means something to Betis. They have lifted the trophy three times, most recently in 2022, and the fans believe another deep run is possible.
Atletico Madrid arrive with questions. Diego Simeone’s side are still hard to beat, but consistency has been missing. Just two wins in their last five games tells part of the story. Still, Atleti are built for nights like this. They know how to survive knockout football, manage moments, and punish mistakes.Form points one way. History points the other.
Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid: Key Stats
Head-to-head: Real Betis 8 wins, Atletico Madrid 28 wins, 7 draws
Betis: Won their last 4 Copa del Rey matches
Betis: Unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 Copa del Rey games
Betis: Scored 2+ goals in their last 4 league matches
Betis: Averaging 3.75 goals per game in this Copa del Rey
Atletico: Unbeaten in their last 7 away Copa del Rey matches
Atletico: Unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 Copa del Rey games
Atletico: Won the last two meetings with Betis by 2+ goals
Photo Credit (Reuters)
What to Expect: Flow vs Control
Real Betis;
Betis will play their game. They want the ball, they want movement, and they want to attack. Antony, Deossa and Ezzalzouli give them flair and unpredictability between the lines. Even without Isco, Betis have been scoring goals for fun in this competition. The concern is defense. They have not kept a clean sheet in four straight matches, and that can be dangerous against an Atletico side that lives on small mistakes.
Atletico Madrid;
Atletico will be patient. Simeone will not mind sitting deep, slowing the tempo, and letting Betis take risks. Julian Alvarez is expected to lead the line, with Almada supporting him between midfield and attack. If Griezmann misses out, the burden on Alvarez becomes even bigger. Atletico may not create many chances, but they rarely need many. One goal can change everything.
Predicted Lineups
Real Betis (4-2-3-1) 🟢⚪: Adrian; Ruibal, Diego Llorente, Bartra, Rodriguez; Altimira, Roca; Antony, Deossa, Ezzalzouli; Avila
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2) 🔴⚪: Musso; Ruggeri, Hancko, Pubill, Molina; Baena, Cardoso, Llorente, Simeone; Alvarez, Almada
Players and Matchups to Watch
Antony: Playing with confidence again. His one-on-one ability could stretch Atletico’s back line.
Julian Alvarez: Atletico’s main threat. Sharp movement, quick finishing, and always involved in big games.
Guido Rodriguez replacement battle: Betis need control in midfield to stop Atletico counters.
Marcos Llorente: His energy and late runs can hurt Betis when they push forward.
Odds Market on MSport
💵 Real Betis to win: 3.29
💵 Atletico Madrid to win: 2.17
💵 Draw: 3.51
💵 Over 2.5 Goals: 1.84
💵 Both Teams to Score (GG): 1.68
