Eldense vs Valencia

A place in the Copa del Rey last-16 is up for grabs as Eldense and Valencia go head-to-head at the Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat.

Eldense’s road to this Copa del Rey stage has been anything but plain sailing. After seeing off lower-league Atletico Paso 1-0 in the opening round, they needed an 82nd-minute penalty to overcome fellow Segunda Division rivals Cadiz last time out, setting up their first-ever meeting with Valencia. However, Dani Ponz’s side can hardly look forward to this fixture as they’ve alternated between draws (2) and defeats (2) across their last four outings after beating Cadiz. Perhaps they can take confidence from holding Racing Santander to a 2-2 away draw in their final match of 2024 after going three consecutive games without scoring. Moreover, they’re unbeaten across their last four home encounters (W2, D2), keeping three clean sheets in that sequence. 

Meanwhile, Valencia started the new calendar year with a whimper rather than a bang, losing 2-1 at home to 10-man Real Madrid despite boasting the lead beyond the 80th minute. Deeply embroiled in La Liga’s relegation scrap amid a dismal six-game winless league run (D2, L4), ‘Los Che’ could see this trip as a welcome distraction. A ninth Copa del Rey title and the first since 2018/19 could ease fans’ nerves, and they’re well positioned to reach the Round of 16. Following a slender 1-0 win at sub-par Parla Escuela, Valencia humbled Ejea 3-1 to set up this tie, giving new manager Carlos Corberan a perfect chance to post his first victory since replacing club legend Ruben Baraja in the dugout last month.