Preview: Copa del Rey Semifinal Leg 1 - Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid

MADRID (Interstat) — A spot in the Copa del Rey final will be on the line when Real Betis hosts Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their semifinal tie on Thursday.

The match at the Estadio Benito Villamarín pits two of Spain’s most ambitious clubs against each other in a high-stakes cup clash. The return leg is scheduled for early March.

Atlético Madrid arrives after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Levante in La Liga on Saturday, a result that halted momentum from a 3-0 league victory over Mallorca the previous weekend. Manager Diego Simeone’s side has been strong defensively in recent cup outings, including a 1-0 win at Deportivo La Coruña in the previous round.

Real Betis enters with significant rest, having not played a competitive match since a 2-0 victory at third-division side Real Murcia in the round of 16 on Dec. 18. The extended break could provide a fitness advantage or lead to rust for Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.

Statistical projections for the match are conflicted. The Interstat game simulator predicts a narrow 1-0 victory for Atlético Madrid. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Real Betis a 59.50% probability of winning the match, highlighting the perceived evenness of the contest.

The fixture adds another chapter to a busy week of rivalry. The teams are scheduled to meet again in La Liga play at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium just three days later, on Sunday.

Atlético’s upcoming schedule is congested, with a league match at Rayo Vallecano looming on Feb. 14. Simeone may be forced to balance squad rotation with the urgent need for a positive result in Seville to take back to Madrid for the second leg.

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the Copa del Rey final, to be played in April, against either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao.