MADRID, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad is the favorite to book a ticket to the Copa del Rey final in a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Real Sociedad won 1-0 in Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium in February through Benat Turrientes' goal.
Athletic Bilbao has improved since that game, partly due to the return of players such as Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche and Oihan Sancet from injury, while winger Alex Berenguer also appeared as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw away to Rayo Vallecano.
The bad news for Athletic Bilbao is that midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is unlikely to play after dislocating his shoulder at the weekend.
Real Sociedad is still without winger Takefusa Kubo, but has winger Ander Barrenetxea available after he missed the first leg.
Barrenetxea adds to coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's options in a rapid and mobile Real Sociedad attack led by Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal.
Atletico Madrid crushed FC Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the other semifinal, with the return leg scheduled on Tuesday. ■
