All set for last 16 in Spain
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
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Sevilla FC face RC Recreativo de Huelva in the last 16 of Spain's Copa Del Rey on Tuesday night.
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By Andy Hall
Just eight Primera División sides are still in contention as the opening matches in the last 16 of the Copa Del Rey are played out over the next three nights.
Test for Sevilla
The tournament reverts from instant knockout to two-legged ties, with the return fixtures next week, and Sevilla FC are the first of the top-flight teams in action tonight. They make the hour-long journey west for a difficult meeting with RC Recreativo de Huelva, who are currently eighth in the Segunda División.
New faces
Joaquín Caparrós may introduce new faces for the tie while home coach Quique Hernández will wait to see if striker Manuel Del Moral overcomes a knee injury. Also tonight is an all-Catalan encounter between lower division clubs UEA Gramenet and UE Lleida.
Taking no chances
On Wednesday, Sevilla's local rivals Real Betis Balompié travel north to Burgos-based CD Mirandés, a club currently lodged in second to last place in Group II of Segunda División B, Spanish football's third tier. Not that Betis coach Llorenç Serra Ferrer is taking any chances - he is expected to field a strong side comprising mostly first-team regulars apart from left-back David Llano, who comes in for the injured Luis Fernández.
Wednesday ties
Getafe CF travel to CA Osasuna on the same night for the only all-Primera División tie while CD Numancia, who have struggled in the top flight this season, have the chance to make amends in the cup against promotion-chasing Elche CF. Elsewhere, Club Atlético de Madrid meet Lorca Deportiva CF and Athletic Club Bilbao jet out to UD Lanzarote.
Madrid campaign
Completing the first legs on Thursday, Real Madrid CF, who have not won the competition since 1993, visit a Real Valladolid side who lie fourth in the Segunda División. Madrid centre-back Iván Helguera with an ankle injury and flu-stricken midfielder Guti are doubtful. While Madrid have recorded 17 cup victories, Valladolid's best campaigns have seen them reach the final twice - the last time in 1989, when Madrid prevailed 1-0.
