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Copa del Rey Preview: 1/8 Finals First Leg
Goal.com's Robin Bairner has a brief look at this week's Copa clashes, with several minnows looking to upset La Liga's big fish...
| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £17.27 | Draw £35.00 | Mallorca £48.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £18.00 | Draw £32.50 | Mallorca £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £17.50 | Draw £35.00 | Mallorca £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £17.30 | Draw £35.00 | Mallorca £50.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £17.70 | Draw £32.50 | Mallorca £43.50 |
|
Jan 5, 2010 2:40:21 PM
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 (all kick-off times CET)
22:00 Barcelona vs. Sevilla (preview)
Wednesday, January 6
18:00 Celta vs. Villarreal (preview)
20:00 Alcorcon vs. Racing Santander
20:00 Recreativo Huelva vs. Atletico Madrid (preview)
20:00 Valencia vs. Deportivo (preview)
Thursday, January 7
20:00 Hercules vs. Osasuna
20:00 Rayo Vallecano vs. Mallorca
22:00 Malaga vs. Getafe
Alcorcon vs. Racing Santander
Unknowns at the beginning of the season, there is now barely a football supporter in the world who is not aware of the name of Alcorcon. Certainly their very mention will send shivers down the spine of any Real Madrid fan, as it was the Segunda Division B side who sent los Merengues crashing so spectacularly from the competition.
Much of the damage was done in a spectacular 4-0 home victory in the first leg, which was played at their homely 3,000 capacity stadium. On Wednesday they will attempt to replicate the feat against Racing Santander.
Los Racinguistas picked up a valuable 2-0 home victory over Tenerife at the weekend, which has pushed them three points away from the drop zone. Their form on the whole has been excellent of late, with successes also recorded against Xerez and Espanyol, so it would be another big upset if they were to slip up against Alcorcon.
Hercules vs. Osasuna
Unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, Hercules go into their Copa fixture against Primera strugglers Osasuna on something of a high. Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, los Blanquiazules have charged to the summit of the Segunda Division and boast a seven-point cushion on fourth place.
Promotion appears more a probability than a possibility for the Alicante outfit, who can afford to briefly turn their attention to cup football. Indeed, victory over Osasuna would only serve to boost their confidence ahead of a tough January.
Osasuna impressed as they held Real Madrid at the weekend. They were immensely robust defensively but lacked a little sparkle and luck when faced with Iker Casillas in the visiting goal. This has been typical of their entire season in league play. Los Rojillos has scored only 14 times in 16 games, so Hercules will fancy their chances of causing a minor upset if they can find the net.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Mallorca
Rayo Vallecano have manoeuvred themselves into a good position in the Segunda Division, lying just two points off the promotion places. They have certainly not ignored the Copa, causing a stir by defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-2 on aggregate in the previous round. A 2-0 success in the first leg provided their platform for success, and a similar result seems essential considering Mallorca’s home form.
The Islanders continued their remarkable record at the ONO Estadi on Sunday evening, storming back from a turgid first half to claim a 2-0 success over a disappointing Athletic Bilbao side. Gregorio Manzano’s men were content to keep things tight over the course of the first 45 minutes but exploded into life after the interval, with goals from Julio Alvarez and Aritz Aduriz.
On the road Mallorca struggle to a greater extent, though their recent victory in Pamplona against Osasuna could be a sign of a breakthrough on the road. Lying fourth in the Primera, Copa success is certainly not the be all and end all of los Barralets’ season, especially as they were tipped by many as relegation candidates.
Malaga vs. Getafe
The final game of the round promises to be one of the more intriguing of the eight clashes as two of La Liga’s in-form sides go head-to-head in Andalusia.
Malaga seemed in desperate relegation danger at the beginning of December but have eased their worries somewhat with a series of decent results. Draws have been the plague of los Boquerones, who remain in the drop zone due to a plethora of ties, although they are at least keeping them in touch with the main pack.
On the other hand, Getafe are on a strong winning run. Victories have been recorded in five of El Geta’s last six matches, propelling them into a position from which they can potentially challenge for European football via a strong league placing. Of course, the Copa also provides a gateway to the continent, with the glory of claiming a trophy an additional drive for the Madrid club.
A close match seems in store, but the guests probably have to be favoured.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
22:00 Barcelona vs. Sevilla (preview)
Wednesday, January 6
18:00 Celta vs. Villarreal (preview)
20:00 Alcorcon vs. Racing Santander
20:00 Recreativo Huelva vs. Atletico Madrid (preview)
20:00 Valencia vs. Deportivo (preview)
Thursday, January 7
20:00 Hercules vs. Osasuna
20:00 Rayo Vallecano vs. Mallorca
22:00 Malaga vs. Getafe
Alcorcon vs. Racing Santander
Unknowns at the beginning of the season, there is now barely a football supporter in the world who is not aware of the name of Alcorcon. Certainly their very mention will send shivers down the spine of any Real Madrid fan, as it was the Segunda Division B side who sent los Merengues crashing so spectacularly from the competition.
Much of the damage was done in a spectacular 4-0 home victory in the first leg, which was played at their homely 3,000 capacity stadium. On Wednesday they will attempt to replicate the feat against Racing Santander.
Los Racinguistas picked up a valuable 2-0 home victory over Tenerife at the weekend, which has pushed them three points away from the drop zone. Their form on the whole has been excellent of late, with successes also recorded against Xerez and Espanyol, so it would be another big upset if they were to slip up against Alcorcon.
Hercules vs. Osasuna
Unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, Hercules go into their Copa fixture against Primera strugglers Osasuna on something of a high. Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, los Blanquiazules have charged to the summit of the Segunda Division and boast a seven-point cushion on fourth place.
Promotion appears more a probability than a possibility for the Alicante outfit, who can afford to briefly turn their attention to cup football. Indeed, victory over Osasuna would only serve to boost their confidence ahead of a tough January.
Osasuna impressed as they held Real Madrid at the weekend. They were immensely robust defensively but lacked a little sparkle and luck when faced with Iker Casillas in the visiting goal. This has been typical of their entire season in league play. Los Rojillos has scored only 14 times in 16 games, so Hercules will fancy their chances of causing a minor upset if they can find the net.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Mallorca
Rayo Vallecano have manoeuvred themselves into a good position in the Segunda Division, lying just two points off the promotion places. They have certainly not ignored the Copa, causing a stir by defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-2 on aggregate in the previous round. A 2-0 success in the first leg provided their platform for success, and a similar result seems essential considering Mallorca’s home form.
The Islanders continued their remarkable record at the ONO Estadi on Sunday evening, storming back from a turgid first half to claim a 2-0 success over a disappointing Athletic Bilbao side. Gregorio Manzano’s men were content to keep things tight over the course of the first 45 minutes but exploded into life after the interval, with goals from Julio Alvarez and Aritz Aduriz.
On the road Mallorca struggle to a greater extent, though their recent victory in Pamplona against Osasuna could be a sign of a breakthrough on the road. Lying fourth in the Primera, Copa success is certainly not the be all and end all of los Barralets’ season, especially as they were tipped by many as relegation candidates.
Malaga vs. Getafe
The final game of the round promises to be one of the more intriguing of the eight clashes as two of La Liga’s in-form sides go head-to-head in Andalusia.
Malaga seemed in desperate relegation danger at the beginning of December but have eased their worries somewhat with a series of decent results. Draws have been the plague of los Boquerones, who remain in the drop zone due to a plethora of ties, although they are at least keeping them in touch with the main pack.
On the other hand, Getafe are on a strong winning run. Victories have been recorded in five of El Geta’s last six matches, propelling them into a position from which they can potentially challenge for European football via a strong league placing. Of course, the Copa also provides a gateway to the continent, with the glory of claiming a trophy an additional drive for the Madrid club.
A close match seems in store, but the guests probably have to be favoured.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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