There's is very little chance of Segunda B -- Spanish third division -- side FC Cartagena knocking off Barcelona on Friday in their Copa del Rey Round of 32 meeting. However, this is a knockout style tournament and whenever that whimsical and mystical "magic of the cup" stuff gets involved, anything can happen.
FC Cartagena vs. Barcelona, 2013 Copa del Rey: Preview and TV schedule
The Efesé welcome a wounded Barcelona side to the Estadio Cartagonova hoping to pull off a massive upset of the Blaugrana.
David Ramos
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Barcelona will enter the match missing Lionel Messi and Victor Valdés -- not that either would have played if healthy -- and they'll be joined on the sideline byAndres Iniesta, Xavi and Gerard Pique, all of whom did not travel as a precaution. Carles Puyol ad Jordi Alba are both cleared and could play though. The return of Alba will be a big boost going forward for Barca who've missed their left back for the better part of the season with hamstring issues.
Young potential future stars Adama Traore and Jean Marie Dongou are likely to see action up front, while Oier Olazabal should start in goal.
Cartagena were relegated from the Segunda Division last year but are off to a solid start in Segunda B. They currently sit in fourth place, a playoff spot, and appear to be a team that will challenge for promotion.
Match Date/Time: 10 p.m. local, 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Cartagonova, Cartagena, Spain
TV: beIN Sport en Español (U.S.),
Online: beIN Sport Play (U.S.), beIN Sport Play (Canada)
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