Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: ZetBet
The Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla will witness a heavyweight Copa del Rey quarter-final on Thursday evening, as Real Betis and Atletico Madrid battle for a place in the last four.
Both sides enter with clear ambitions and familiarity with knockout‑stage drama, setting the stage for a compelling encounter.
Real Betis
Real Betis approach this quarter-final aiming to secure a third consecutive win in all competitions. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have enjoyed a relatively smooth path through the tournament so far, opening with a dominant 7‑1 victory over Atletico Palma del Rio, followed by convincing wins over Torrent (4‑1) and Real Murcia (2‑0). A hard‑fought 2‑1 success against Elche in the round of 16 ensured their place in the last eight.
The Verdiblancos boast a rich history in this competition, having lifted the trophy three times—in 1977, 2005 and most recently in 2022. However, last season brought disappointment as they exited in the round of 16 via a heavy 5‑1 defeat to Barcelona.
Domestically, Betis are enjoying a strong league campaign and currently sit fifth in the La Liga table. They head into this tie fresh off a 2‑1 win over Valencia, though their defensive record remains a concern, with no clean sheet in their last four outings.
Team News
Pellegrini faces a number of selection challenges. Héctor Bellerín and Giovani Lo Celso are doubtful due to minor physical issues, while Junior Firpo is sidelined with a thigh injury.
Isco remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a long‑term thigh problem, with this match likely arriving too soon for the playmaker. Sofyan Amrabat is out with a foot injury, and Juan Hernández is missing due to a hamstring issue.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid arrive in Seville searching for rhythm. Diego Simeone’s men have won only two of their last five matches in all competitions, though they remain firmly in the La Liga title race, sitting third—10 points behind Barcelona and nine behind Real Madrid.
Their Copa del Rey campaign has been defined by narrow victories, including a win over Atletico Baleares in the round of 32 and a tight 1‑0 success against Deportivo La Coruña in the round of 16. A goalless draw with Levante over the weekend highlighted their ongoing inconsistency in the final third.
Recent meetings favour Atletico, who have won three of the last five clashes between the clubs. Betis have claimed only one win during that period, with one match ending in a draw. Notably, Atletico secured victory in the last two encounters by margins of at least two goals.
Team News
Simeone will be without Rodrigo Riquelme and Pablo Barrios, both sidelined with muscle injuries. Alexander Sørloth is also unavailable after sustaining a head injury, while Antoine Griezmann remains a doubt.
Although new signing Ademola Lookman has joined the squad, the winger is unlikely to make his debut in this match. Julián Álvarez is expected to lead the attack, potentially supported by Thiago Almada.
Head‑to‑Head
Historically, Atletico Madrid have held the advantage in this fixture. The Madrid side have won three of the past five meetings, including the most recent pair by multi‑goal margins.
Betis have not defeated Atletico frequently in recent years, though their strong home form in the Copa and their proven pedigree in the competition ensure they cannot be dismissed lightly.
Conclusion
Real Betis have shown resilience and attacking spark throughout their Copa del Rey run, but Atletico Madrid’s extensive knockout experience and defensive solidity give them a clear edge.
With their structured approach and efficiency in key moments, Simeone’s side are well‑positioned to absorb Betis’s pressure and capitalise when opportunities arise. Atletico Madrid appear the more likely to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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