Copa del Rey Final Preview: Real Betis vs Valencia

The 2022 Copa del Rey final takes centre stage at the Estadio de La Cartuja, Sevilla this Saturday night between Real Betis and Valencia. A football match to decide the winner of the 120th edition of Spain’s primary football cup. Real Betis are in search of their third cup title, while Valencia seek a chance to claim glory for a ninth time. Both sides have yet to play their return fixture in La Liga, but this one definitely has a lot more to fight for.

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Copa del Rey Final 
Saturday 23 April 
Estadio de La Cartuja 
22:00

To Win
Real Betis 1/1
Draw 2/1
Valencia 49/20

To Lift the Cup
Real Betis 5/10
Valencia 27/20

Real Betis

Real Betis won their first Copa del Rey in 1977 and more recently in 2005 defeating Osasuna in the 114th minute of extra time. 
The road to the final has been goal ladened for the Green and Whites. They scored more than one goal in seven of their eight fixtures enroute to the final. The round-of-16 was where they began facing tougher opponents. A home 2-1 victory over Sevilla was the start of the parade, followed by a demolition of Real Sociedad, scoring 4-0 away, and finally a 3-2 aggregate in the semi-finals against Rayo Vallecano.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have without doubt faced the tougher opponents and will be feeling confident coming into the final. Scoring 20 goals in seven matches to make a cup final will easily give any side the upper hand when it comes to a winning mindset. It could be a successful season for Pellegrini, still in the fight for a Champions League spot for the first time since 2005.
Doubts for the game: Victor Camarasa, Martin Montoya & Paul Akoukou
Real Betis FORM GUIDE All competitions: LDWWD
Valencia FORM GUIDE All competitions: LLDDW
Valencia

Valencia had to win just as many games as their opponents to make the 2022 Copa del Rey final. Los Che are eight-time Copa del Rey winners, last lifting the title as recent as 2019 defeating the mighty Barcelona, coupled with the fact they have also been runners-up in the competition a staggering nine times.
Valencia defeated some unknowns in the early stages in Utrillas, Arenteiro, and Cartangena, as well as Atletico Baleares in the round-of-16. Finally, in the quarterfinals they matched up with a La Liga side, Cadiz, who put up a fight despite being in the mix of a relegation battle. A 2-1 win over the aforementioned meant a semi-final meeting with Copa del Rey royalty in Athletic Bilbao who have reigned supreme in the competition 23 times, second only to Barcelona (31). A 1-1 draw on enemy territory put hope in Valencia to steal the tie in the second-leg, and they did just that via a 43rd minute strike from Goncalo Guedes.
Valencia lost to Real Betis 4-1 earlier in the season and getting one back over them will be firm in the minds of everyone involved with the Bats. Jose Bordalas’s side are in a great position to finish in the top half in the league, better than last season and coupled with a trophy, that would be an outstanding success.
Doubts for the game: Maxi Gomez, Toni Lato, Gabriel Paulista & Goncalo Guedes
Prediction: Draw (90 Minutes) (2/1)

Both teams will be feeling confident in this fixture, as any final fixture elevates the emotion and desire of any football lover. Without a doubt the tie will be a close one, and I feel the 90-minute draw is the play and Valencia upset the lot via the penalty spot.
Written by Joshua Gaillard