Spain's Copa Del Rey semifinals continue in midweek

MADRID, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The next two days will determine the two finalists of the Copa Del Rey, Spain's premier cup competition.

The second legs of the semifinals should still be competitive and all four teams have a chance at qualifying for the final.

Wednesday sees Sevilla entertain Leganes in the Sanchez Pizjuan after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Although Sevilla are favorites to qualify, they would do well to remember that Leganes overturned a 1-0 home defeat in the quarter-finals to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu and are capable of doing the same thing in Seville.

Leganes manager Asier Garitano rested key players Ruben Perez, Nabil El Zhar and Siovas at the weekend and will be confident of another upset which would give his side their first ever cup final appearance.

Sevilla need to improve drastically in defense following a 5-1 thrashing away to Eibar and manager Vincenzo Montella must also decide whether to persevere with Sergio Rico in goal after weak displays in recent matches.

Thursday sees cup holders FC Barcelona travel to Valencia's Mestalla Stadium to defend a 1-0 first leg advantage.

A close first game in the Camp Nou left Barça manager Ernesto Valverde with plenty to think about. Valencia will be without Andres Pereira following a bad challenge from Sergi Roberto, who can expect a hostile reception from the home fans.

Valencia have run out of gas in recent weeks, losing their last five games in all competitions, but will be fired up for Barça who drew 1-1 in Mestalla in the league earlier in the season.

Valverde rested Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba at the weekend and all will start, although Gerard Pique is still doubtful following a hard challenge by Espanyol's Gerard Moreno at the weekend. Enditem