Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano Odds & Prediction – Copa del Rey Semifinals Leg 2

• Real Betis carries a 2-1 first-leg advantage into Thursday’s second leg against Rayo Vallecano
• Vallecano comes into the game looking to snap a five-game losing streak
• Read on for betting odds, a full preview and a best bet for this Copa del Rey semifinal

Journeyman manager Manuel Pellegrini has seemingly brought his championship-winning credentials to bear at Betis this season, lifting the club to third in La Liga as well as the last 16 of the Europa League. But it’s the second leg of the Copa del Rey that will be dominating his thoughts this week, with a place in the final against either Valencia or Athletic Bilbao awaiting if Real Betis can hang on to the 2-1 first-leg advantage at home on Thursday, March 3.

But Rayo Vallecano isn’t just about to hand Betis its tickets to that final. The team has been in an awful slump of late, losing five straight games in all competitions. As a result, the early-season optimism that saw the Madrid club flirt with European qualification has all but eradicated, and the club will look at this game as its only chance to salvage something from a once-promising season.

Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano Odds

Odds as of March 2nd at Barstool Sportsbook

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With Vallecano having lost five in a row, Betis is a heavy favorite to win Thursday night, though there’s not much value to be had with the home side a -150 favorite to add to the visitors’ woes, so the spread could be the way to go here.

Betis Flying High

Despite falling 2-1 in the Seville derby last weekend, Pellegrini’s club has been in fine form of late. Last Sunday’s loss ended a five-game unbeaten run, but the team now heads back to the home comforts of Benito Villamarín Stadium, where it has lost just one of its past five matches there, winning three of those contests.

As a two-time Copa del Rey champion, Betis is back in the semifinals for the first time since the 2018-19 season, when it was eliminated by Sevilla. But with a rare chance of going to the final for the first time since it won the whole thing in 2005, Betis will be focused on not letting that chance slip away, particularly after coming from behind to win the first leg at Vallecano last month.

A Rayo Slump

Making the semifinals for the first time in four decades was supposed to give Andoni Iraola’s team a boost, and it did for a while, with the home side taking the lead shortly after kickoff. But then Betis got on top and ultimately won the contest, handing Rayo Vallecano its second straight loss of a run that has now stretched to five games.

It's neck and neck between @FCBarcelona and @atletienglish for 4th spot… 👀

🌟 @socios 🌟#TheFansGame | #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/5RZyG8DL8e

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 28, 2022

Worse still, Iraola’s team has struggled to find the net during that run of defeats, scoring just twice in its past five games.

In truth, the Copa del Rey is providing fans of Los Vallecanos with something to look forward to these days, with victories in the competition the team’s only source of joy following a winless La Liga run that stretches back to December 18. On top of that, the team has won only once on its travels all season in league play, with that lone victory coming back on September 21 at Athletic Club, and has managed a La Liga joint-worst nine defeats away from home.

Close-run Rivalry

Despite the discrepancies in each team’s form of late, games between the two sides have tended to be fairly even affairs. In 24 meetings, Betis has won eight games versus seven for Vallecano, with nine games ending as draws.

That pattern was certainly born out in the first leg, with the 2-1 scoreline following the flow of a match that Betis just shaded, 15-12 in total shots. But then close-run games have been a feature of Vallecano’s cup run so far, with progress through each of the last three rounds secured by solitary goals on each occasion.

Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano 2021-22 Stats

Juanmi’s Timely Return

With 16 goals in all competitions, Spanish striker Juanmi could be back for Betis on Thursday after missing last weekend’s loss to Sevilla through suspension. Pellegrini will have to make the call over who starts upfront, but in some ways, he is spoiled for choice, with goals coming from a variety of sources.

💚🤍💚

Our call-up for #RealBetisRayo! pic.twitter.com/9U4p6Q3vRY

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) March 2, 2022

With 48 goals in 26 games, Betis are the second-highest scoring side in La Liga this season, behind only leader Real Madrid, and have actually scored 30  goals in the calendar year already.

Barcelona are the 3rd highest scoring team in the top 5 leagues in the year 2022 with 28 goals.

Only Liverpool and Real Betis are ahead of us with 31 and 30 goals respectively.

This is a dream.

Who needs Guardiola when we have Xavi Ball ⚽

— Man City Principal 🕒 (@BarcaPrincipal) March 1, 2022

There are no such luxuries with Vallecano’s team sheet, however, with Colombian forward Falcao in an extended slump that hasn’t seen him score since November, with Sergi Guardiola and his five goals this season starting ahead of him of late.

Best bet: Betis -1.5 (+195)