Two big football games both evenly poised, both in terms of scoreline and in terms of betting odds.
It’s all to play for among sports betting fans ahead of the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Barcelona vs (2-1 on agg.) Atletico Madrid
Barca may have an advantage but this tie is far from over.
In fact, it shows how much stock Luis Enrique has placed in this competition that he rested some players and even substituted Lionel Messi during the weekend league victory over Athletic Bilbao.
No wonder when there’s no guarantee Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets will be back from injury for this second leg and when Gerard Pique and Rafinha are the latest players in danger of missing the tie through injury.
Add in the factor that Neymar is suspended for the return match and Barcelona cannot afford complacency in Catalunya.
Of course, Atletico will have to play like they did in the last half hour of the first leg rather than the first 60 minutes if they are to overturn a 2-1 deficit and the loss of two away goals.
After four games without winning, Diego Simeone’s side certainly needed their weekend victory over Leganes, but this is another level again.
Juanfran has promised his teammates will ‘fight to the death’ in Barcelona, while Fernando Torres says the tie isn’t over, although acknowledges the difficulty.
Atletico knocked Barca out of the Champions League as holders last season and now bid to do the same against the holders of the Copa del Rey who are bidding for a third successive triumph.
It’s a big ask but Barcelona cannot afford to be anything but 100 per cent committed, even though Messi, Jordi Alba, and Samuel Umtiti are one booking away from missing the final should they qualify.
Alaves vs (0-0 on agg.) Celta Vigo
Can Alaves reach their first ever Copa final?
Can Celta Vigo reach their fourth final and then win the silverware for the first time?
Will the tie actually take place this week?!
If it does, Celta will have the advantage of a weekend rest after their La Liga clash with Real Madrid was postponed when storms damaged their ground.
The Galicia region of north west Spain was hit by winds of up to 85 miles per hour which also led to the postponement of the league match between Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis.
As a result, Alaves have asked for this second leg clash to be postponed, feeling their opponents will otherwise have an advantage.
As the authorities decide their next move, it’s unlikely the tie will be delayed until later in the season.
Alaves certainly can take the positives from their first leg draw at a rainy Vigo where two goalkeepers, Sergio Alvarez and Pacheco, shone and the visitors twice escaped conceding a goal thanks to the woodwork.
Home advantage in the second leg may lead to Alaves attacking more which, in turn, could play into Vigo’s hands with Iago Aspas their driving force.
Vigo will start as favourites but if last season’s Segunda Division champions can reach the Spanish showpiece, what an occasion it would be.
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