Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Real Betis and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head for the final spot in this season’s Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday.
The hosts overcame fellow La Liga side Elche in the last 16, while Atletico narrowly edged out lower-league Deportivo de La Coruna.
Match preview
Since lifting the trophy in 2022, Betis had not advanced beyond the Copa del Rey last 16 until this season.
They started their run with a 7-1 demolition of Atletico Palma del Rio, before easing past Torrent CF, Real Murcia and Elche.
After suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, El Glorioso bounced back with consecutive wins over Feyenoord and Valencia, setting them up nicely for the upcoming clash with Atletico.
With only one win from the last 13 encounters, Thursday’s hosts have not fared well against their visitors, who came out on top in both of last year’s meetings by a combined score of 6-1.
Currently ten points adrift of Barcelona in the La Liga race, Atletico will view the Spanish Cup as perhaps their best chance of silverware this season.
Diego Simeone’s side last lifted the trophy in 2013 and have fallen at the semi-final stage in each of the past two seasons.
Atletico ended 2025 with four consecutive wins, but have managed just three victories in eight outings this year.
While Los Colchoneros’ goalless stalemate against Levante on Saturday was a disappointment, it extended their away unbeaten run to seven matches ahead of the trip to Andalusia.
Team news
Betis are without Rodrigo Riquelme, Giovani Lo Celso, Junior Firpo and Hector Bellerin, who are all sidelined with muscle injuries.
Sofyan Amrabat and Isco are also ruled out with ankle problems, while Cucho Hernandez remains sidelined by a thigh injury.
Chimy Avila is in fine form, with four goal contributions in his last six games – including a brace against Elche in the previous round – making him one to watch.
Antoine Griezmann is set to miss a fourth straight game with a muscle issue, denying him the opportunity to add to his three cup goals.
New signing Ademola Lookman is also unavailable, but is expected to make his debut in Sunday’s league clash against Betis.
Real Betis Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lopez; Gomez, Natan, Llorente, Orrtiz; Altimira, Fornals, Roca; Antony, Avila, Ezzalzouli.
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Ruggeri, Hancko, Pubill, Llorente; Almada, Cardoso, Barrios, Gonzalez; Baena, Alvarez.
Prediction: Real Betis 1-2 Atletico Madrid.