Copa del Rey holders Athletic Bilbao will be aiming to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition when they take on fourth-tier outfit UD Logrones on Saturday night.
Athletic became 24-time winners of the trophy last season when they beat Mallorca in the final, while Logrones are bidding to secure a spot in the final 16 of this tournament for the first time in their history.
Match preview
Lugrones have only been in existence since 2009, and they currently operate in the fourth tier of Spanish football, having been relegated from the second tier in 2020-21 and then from the third in 2022-23.
This is the fourth time in their history that they have been present in the round of 32 in the Copa del Rey, but UDL have never progressed to the last 16 of the competition, so there is plenty on the line in this contest.
Miguel Flano's side will bring a five-game unbeaten run into this match, while they have recorded two standout results in the Copa del Rey this term, beating Eibar 1-0 at the end of October before overcoming Champions League side Girona on penalties following a goalless draw in the last round of the tournament.
Logrones are fourth in their league table, picking up 31 points from 17 matches, while they drew 0-0 with Alfaro in their last match before the winter break.
It would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition if the hosts could navigate their way past the holders, but their results in this season's tournament should stand them in good stead.
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Athletic, meanwhile, recorded a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in their last match on December 21, with the result leaving them on 36 points from 19 league matches - enough for fourth spot in the La Liga table.
The Lions are only five points off the leaders Atletico Madrid so have to be mentioned as title challengers at this stage, while Ernesto Valverde's side are second in the Europa League table, picking up 16 points from six matches.
Athletic are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions, with that run dating back to a 2-1 reverse to Girona at the start of October, while as mentioned, they are the holders of this competition.
Indeed, the Basque side beat Mallorca on penalties in last year's final to secure the trophy for the 24th time, and they are the second-most successful team in the history of the competition behind Barcelona (31).
Athletic will view La Liga and the Europa League as their two main priorities this season, but they will certainly be determined to avoid what would be a shock elimination in the last-32 stage of the tournament.
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Team News
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Logrones are expected to have Alvaro Barrero and Jon Madrazo in their starting side on Saturday, with the pair scoring five times between them during the 2024-25 campaign.
Juan Aguero is another player to have enjoyed a strong season to date, managing four goals in 18 appearances, and the 25-year-old is set to be in the XI, while there is also likely to be a position at the back for Alvaro Mateo.
As for Athletic, Ander Herrera is out of the contest due to a muscular problem, while Oihan Sancet and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are doubts for the Basque side due to muscular issues of their own.
Head coach Valverde will make changes to his usual side, especially as this match comes ahead of a clash with Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on January 8.
Nico Williams and Inaki Williams could be among those rested, with Alex Berenguer, Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga, Alvaro Djalo and Nico Serrano potentially coming into the starting side for the cup fixture.
UD Logrones possible starting lineup:
Daza; Monreal, Iribarren, Mateo, Moreno; Sarriegi, Caballero, Aguero, Gualda; Madrazo, Barrero
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; Gorosabel, Yeray, Paredes, Lekue; Vesga, Prados; Berenguer, Serrano, Djalo; Guruzeta
We say: UD Logrones 0-3 Athletic Bilbao
Athletic will not be at full strength for this match, but head coach Valverde will still be able to select a side full of quality, and we are finding it very difficult to imagine anything other than a comfortable victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
