MADRID, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Real Betis are the favorites to join Valencia in the final of the Copa del Rey when they play Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of their semifinal on Thursday night.
Betis have a 2-1 advantage from the first leg thanks to goals from Borja Iglesias and William Carvalho in Rayo's Vallecas Stadium three weeks ago, and although the away goals rule is no longer in use this season, it still looks like a big ask for Rayo, who have suffered five straight defeats since beating Real Mallorca in the quarterfinals.
Rayo's away form, with just one away win all season in La Liga - the worst in the division - also doesn't imply that they have much of a chance of staging a comeback to reach the final for the first time in their history.
If Betis do make their advantage count, they would have the added bonus of playing the final in their home town at the Estadio de la Cartuja.
Manuel Pellegrini's men go into the game after losing 2-1 away to neighbors Sevilla, and that game saw Betis pay a price with key midfielders Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales both struggling to be fit after picking up injuries.
Fekir is a serious doubt after a bad tackle from Marcos Acuna forced him out of the game and Betis would miss his creativity. Hector Bellerin is also a doubt and that could open the door for Youssouf Sabaly to step in at right-back.
Betis have only won the Copa del Rey twice in their history, in 1977 and 2005, but if they progress against Rayo they will see themselves as favorite to lift the trophy for a third time this April. ■
