Sports Burst - Can Lainez Lead The Way For Real Betis?
Real Betis hoping for Diego Lainez inspiration in Copa del Rey clash against Valencia
by Tim Stannard
Betis to host Valencia in second Copa del Rey semifinal
If Barcelona and Real Madrid's el Clasico was understandably a little cagey with some shiny moments thrown in, then today's matchup between Betis and Valencia should be a humdinger. Big pinkie promise.
Two heavyweights in Spain without a snowball's chance in Australia of winning La Liga are looking towards the Copa del Rey as a genuine chance of winning something purty, especially with a more vulnerable Barcelona or Real Madrid than usual to meet in the final.
Valencia's season has only just started getting into gear after a terrible start, however Betis has been on a constant charging mission towards La Liga’s top four and could now be driven by a Mexican dynamic duo.
Andres Guardado is already a familiar face for Beticos but the club has a new El Tri star to get behind with Diego Lainez potentially being let loose on the men from Mestalla to score his first goal for Betis and blow up Mexico's internet in a country that feels that Lainez is ready for super stardom. Reggaeton journeyman Jese Rodriguez could also find himself in the Starting XI.
That path could well start on beIN SPORTS as Betis takes on Valencia at 3PM ET / 12PM PT.
Copa Clasico up in the air after Camp Nou stalemate
The Copa del Rey Clasico vibe on the morning after the night before in Spain is best summed up by 'Marca', whose headline noted that the two-legged contest was 'up in the air'.
And that's a fair assessment. Both sides can take positives, negatives, bicker a bit, moan about Gareth Bale and claim some kind of mini-victory from the Camp Nou clash.
Indeed, over in Barcelona and 'Sport' is actively drooling over the rematch in Madrid on Wednesday 27th February declaring "at last, a Cup final in the Bernabeu" both referencing the fact that Real Madrid's stadium often becomes unavailable as a location for the final when the Whites are not involved. Bathroom modifications was once used as the excuse.
The paper is also presupposing that the eventual real final against Betis or Valencia would be a done deal for the winner (Barcelona). That's quite the leap considering the troubles Barca suffered last weekend against the men from Mestalla.
Tune into our Sports Burst live show at 12PM ET / 9AM PT for a look back at the night before and bold predictions for today's second semifinal.
Hazard-Isco-Coutinho mega-deal coming this summer?
Eden Hazard's recent confession that he has come to some kind of decision on his Chelsea future and Isco being left on the bench yet again by Santiago Solari for El Clasico has seen the transfer rumor mill putting two and two together and, to be fair, potentially making four.
Chelsea is said to want $130 million for the Belgian footballer from Real Madrid, but that value could be lightened a little with the Spanish side using Isco - or even the other Isco, Asensio - as part of the deal.
Then again, Isco might even be a target for Barcelona - the name of the footballer's cat is 'Messi' - while Chelsea might want to relieve Barcelona of their own malfunctioning playmaker, Philipe Coutinho.
Hazard-Isco-Coutinho. Sports Burst is sensing a fun summer transfer story already.
Atletico Nacional fights for Copa Libertadores future
Games! Games! Games!
Plenty going on today as well as the Betis v Valencia epic encounter. Our Copa Libertadores coverage continues on beIN SPORTS with the Colombian legends of Atletico Nacional getting into gear in the second qualifying round for the competition with a first leg game against Deportivo La Guaira. That gets underway at 6:20PM ET / 3:30PM PT on beIN SPORT CONNECT.
There is also a whole host of Copa Sudamerica games on the roster too, just check the TV guide for the full menu of football treats.
There is Coupe de France action too with Lyon at Guingamp and hoping not to make the same mess of things as PSG who labored badly against third-tier Villefranche on Wednesday by being taken to extra time.
Over in Serie A, Lazio has a chance to move into the top four with a victory over Empoli.