La Liga strugglers Real Betis and Real Mallorca go head-to-head on Wednesday evening with a semi-final berth in the Copa Del Rey as the prize. For both teams this competition has proved to be a welcome distraction from domestic troubles and with Mallorca only holding a single goal lead, either side could progress.
Bad Betis
Real Betis might have had a purple patch in La Liga towards the end of last year, but it’s fair to say that finished a long time ago. The Andalucian side have won just won game this year, and picked up only four points from their last eight matches, which has seen them slide back down the table after a mini-revival. Worst of all, they have Getafe next, and then the clashes against the big four teams of Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal, meaning by the time they meet Mallorca in the league in early March, they could be in the relegation places.
For this reason, the Copa Del Rey could prove to be important for Betis this season, and especially for Paco Chaparro. The coach might be struggling with his side in the league, but if he can guide them to the final, then surely a poor finish in the table, as long as it is not bottom three, will be forgiven. So far they have dispatched both Castellon and Real Unión, and, even though Mallorca have a narrow lead here, the tie is far from over.
At home, Betis will come out strongly, and they should look to attack a fragile Mallorca side from the opening minute. The coach is likely to stick with a strong team, and will be hoping that, unlike the first-leg, they can take some of their chances when they present themselves.
Mallorca Misery
For Mallorca, much like Betis, this competition represents an opportunity to forget their poor league position, and they will be desperate to progress past this stage of the competition. With their one goal lead from the first league, they will no doubt fancy their chances of getting a result in Seville and they come off the back of a stunning result in La Liga.
Their 3-1 win over Valencia on Sunday proved that they are a side capable of good things but, unfortunately, they have not shown their class enough this season. In the Copa so far they have beaten two Primera teams in the shape of Málaga and Almería, and that will give them confidence in this second-leg. Coach Gregorio Manzano has already declared how important that win over Valencia was at the weekend, and the fans will be delighted if they can follow up that result with another victory here.
When these sides last met in the league at the Ruiz de Lopera, Betis ran out 3-0 winners, even though Mallorca had the majority of the possession. This time, the away side will probably come out and play as a compact unit, but they must not let their hosts get on top of them, or else they could be punished.
Form Guide
Real Betis
Jan 25 Recreativo Huelva 1-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 22 Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 18 Valladolid 1-3 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 14 Real Betis 1-0 Real Unión (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Real Betis 1-2 Málaga (La Liga)
Real Mallorca
Jan 25 Real Mallorca 3-1 Valencia (La Liga)
Jan 22 Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 18 Villarreal 2-0 Real Mallorca (La Liga)
Jan 14 Almería 1-1 Real Mallorca (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Real Mallorca 0-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Team News
Real Betis
Chaparro is likely to stick with a similar side to the one that lost in the first-leg, with a few changes possibly in midfield.
Juanma might be rested after playing at the weekend too, whilst Mehmet Aurelio could be given a starting role this time.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Ricardo – Melli, Juanito, Ilic, Monzon – Aurelio, Emana, Damia, Rivera – Xisco, García
Real Mallorca
Like Betis, Mallorca are likely to start with the same side that won last week, after most of them were rested at the weekend.
Iván Ramis might be rested after picking up a knock in the first-leg though, whilst up front, Juan Arango may well start instead of, or with, Pierre Webó.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Aouate – Coralles, Navarro, Nunes, Varela – Arteseros, Santana, Castro, Scaloni – Webó, Arango
Players To Watch
Real Betis
Achille Emana has been the star player for Betis this season and he could well be the difference in this match if he is on form. With his strong runs and committed tackling he is becoming one of the most important players in the side and against Mallorca he will more than likely see a lot of the ball in midfield. It will be his job to find his team-mates with his passes and, if he can, find the back of the net from distance.
Real Mallorca
On-loan Atlético Madrid midfielder, Cléber Santana has got plenty of first-team action this season and it will be up to him to hold it together in midfield for Mallorca. He will have to tackle well and protect his backline, whilst using the ball to find the forwards and try and create chances.
Bad Betis
Real Betis might have had a purple patch in La Liga towards the end of last year, but it’s fair to say that finished a long time ago. The Andalucian side have won just won game this year, and picked up only four points from their last eight matches, which has seen them slide back down the table after a mini-revival. Worst of all, they have Getafe next, and then the clashes against the big four teams of Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal, meaning by the time they meet Mallorca in the league in early March, they could be in the relegation places.
For this reason, the Copa Del Rey could prove to be important for Betis this season, and especially for Paco Chaparro. The coach might be struggling with his side in the league, but if he can guide them to the final, then surely a poor finish in the table, as long as it is not bottom three, will be forgiven. So far they have dispatched both Castellon and Real Unión, and, even though Mallorca have a narrow lead here, the tie is far from over.
At home, Betis will come out strongly, and they should look to attack a fragile Mallorca side from the opening minute. The coach is likely to stick with a strong team, and will be hoping that, unlike the first-leg, they can take some of their chances when they present themselves.
Mallorca Misery
For Mallorca, much like Betis, this competition represents an opportunity to forget their poor league position, and they will be desperate to progress past this stage of the competition. With their one goal lead from the first league, they will no doubt fancy their chances of getting a result in Seville and they come off the back of a stunning result in La Liga.
Their 3-1 win over Valencia on Sunday proved that they are a side capable of good things but, unfortunately, they have not shown their class enough this season. In the Copa so far they have beaten two Primera teams in the shape of Málaga and Almería, and that will give them confidence in this second-leg. Coach Gregorio Manzano has already declared how important that win over Valencia was at the weekend, and the fans will be delighted if they can follow up that result with another victory here.
When these sides last met in the league at the Ruiz de Lopera, Betis ran out 3-0 winners, even though Mallorca had the majority of the possession. This time, the away side will probably come out and play as a compact unit, but they must not let their hosts get on top of them, or else they could be punished.
Form Guide
Real Betis
Jan 25 Recreativo Huelva 1-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 22 Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 18 Valladolid 1-3 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 14 Real Betis 1-0 Real Unión (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Real Betis 1-2 Málaga (La Liga)
Real Mallorca
Jan 25 Real Mallorca 3-1 Valencia (La Liga)
Jan 22 Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 18 Villarreal 2-0 Real Mallorca (La Liga)
Jan 14 Almería 1-1 Real Mallorca (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Real Mallorca 0-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Team News
Real Betis
Chaparro is likely to stick with a similar side to the one that lost in the first-leg, with a few changes possibly in midfield.
Juanma might be rested after playing at the weekend too, whilst Mehmet Aurelio could be given a starting role this time.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Ricardo – Melli, Juanito, Ilic, Monzon – Aurelio, Emana, Damia, Rivera – Xisco, García
Real Mallorca
Like Betis, Mallorca are likely to start with the same side that won last week, after most of them were rested at the weekend.
Iván Ramis might be rested after picking up a knock in the first-leg though, whilst up front, Juan Arango may well start instead of, or with, Pierre Webó.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Aouate – Coralles, Navarro, Nunes, Varela – Arteseros, Santana, Castro, Scaloni – Webó, Arango
Players To Watch
Real Betis
Achille Emana has been the star player for Betis this season and he could well be the difference in this match if he is on form. With his strong runs and committed tackling he is becoming one of the most important players in the side and against Mallorca he will more than likely see a lot of the ball in midfield. It will be his job to find his team-mates with his passes and, if he can, find the back of the net from distance.
Real Mallorca
On-loan Atlético Madrid midfielder, Cléber Santana has got plenty of first-team action this season and it will be up to him to hold it together in midfield for Mallorca. He will have to tackle well and protect his backline, whilst using the ball to find the forwards and try and create chances.
I really hoped that this year we could do something great in the cup.
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