The Copa del Rey Round of 16 wraps up this week with a couple potential upsets still possible and several La Liga teams in good shape to move on. It’s a busy time for Spanish football, as the league schedule rolls on while the Copa del Rey will knock out two rounds before the end of the month.
Copa Del Rey, Fifth Round: Madrid and Betis face second leg fights
Several La Liga clubs face potential upsets that could come down to how highly they decide to prioritize the Copa del Rey.
Angel Martinez
Let’s start with the ties that are all but over.
Valencia host Osasuna up 2-0 after the first leg, and while a two goal deficit is certainly capable of being overcome, you have to see Valencia as the favorites in this one. Barcelona have a two goal lead at home against second division side Cordoba, so that's over. Atletico Madrid travel to Getafe with a 3-0 lead -- also over. Sevilla host Mallorca with a 5-0 lead...over.
Don’t lose hope, though. There are some interesting games on the schedule.
Malaga host third division Eibar with the match tied at a goal apiece and this tie will probably come down to how seriously Malaga takes this match. If the Anchovies start to stink, an upset could be in the cards. Real Madrid are home against Celta Vigo down 2-1. Much like Malaga, if Madrid put out a strong lineup and really want to win, they should be able to overcome this deficit. If their attentions are turned elsewhere, you never know what could happen. The other potential upset could happen as second division Las Palmas travels to Real Betis tied 1-1. Betis are in the thick of a battle for a European spot so this could come down to how high Pepe Mel ranks the cup on his team's priorities.
No matter what happens, the advancing clubs will face a quick turnaround with the quarterfinals beginning next week.
Schedule (Score after first leg/Day/Time)
Malaga vs. Eibar (1-1) Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
Valencia vs. Osasuna (2-0) Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Sevilla vs. Mallorca (5-0) Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo (1-2) Wednesday 3:30 p.m.
Real Zaragoza vs. Levante (0-1) Wednesday 3:30 p.m.
Getafe vs Atletico Madrid (0-3) Thursday 1:30 p.m.
Barcelona vs. Cordoba (2-0) Thursday 3:30 p.m.
Real Betis vs. Las Palmas (1-1) Thursday 3:30 p.m.
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