The Canary Islands derby will take centre stage at Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez on Sunday as bitter rivals Tenerife and Las Palmas face each other with a place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey at stake.
Both sides got to this stage of the competition with dramatic extra-time victories in their respective second-round fixtures, with Tete knocking off Deportivo de La Coruna 3-2 while Las Palmas defeated Tudelano 2-1.
Match preview
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After consecutive second-round defeats in the previous two Copa del Rey tournaments, Tenerife were able to exorcise some demons this season, advancing into the last 32 for the first time since 2020-21.
It is the first time since December 2021 that they have won a match in this competition after conceding the opening goal, defeating Ibiza 2-1 in extra time two seasons ago.
After 21 matches played in the Segunda Division this season, Asier Garitano's men are ninth in the table, though only three points separate them from Espanyol in fifth place and a spot in the Segunda playoffs.
Chicharreros are unbeaten in their last two home contests but have not won a Copa del Rey fixture in Tenerife since defeating Real Valladolid 2-1 in January 2020.
That 2019-20 campaign was the last time they made it into the last 16 of this competition, losing to Athletic Bilbao on penalties (7-5) after being two minutes away from advancing.
Only twice this century have they emerged victorious from a Copa del Rey encounter versus a top-flight opponent, most recently in September 2017, defeating Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in a second-round replay.
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For the first time since the 2017-18 campaign, Las Palmas are through to the third stage of the Copa del Rey, coming through in the latter stages versus Tudelano with a winner in the 124th minute.
That was only the second time all season that this team went on to win a match despite conceding the opening goal, with that triumph being the only time they have done so away from home.
Las Palmas are winless in their last three La Liga encounters, squandering five points from winning positions in the second half over that stretch, including this week when they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona.
Garcia Pimienta has seen his side claim at least a point in their previous five domestic contests away from home, while they have not lost a Copa del Rey encounter in normal time since December 2021 (3-1 versus Real Valladolid).
In their first top-flight campaign since 2017-18, La Union Deportiva have got by thanks to some resolute defending, conceding the second-fewest goals in the league so far (15).
They have never beaten Tenerife in four previous Copa del Rey encounters, while they have not triumphed against them at Estadio Heliodoro Rodrigo Lopez since January 2022 (1-0).
Team News
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Javi Alonso might still be unavailable for Tenerife due to a hamstring strain, Jeremy Mellot is dealing with physical discomfort and Jose Leon is out for the season because of an ACL injury.
Waldo Rubio is unlikely to feature this weekend as he continues to recover from a muscle problem, while Enric Gallego will be doubtful due to a thigh issue.
Nacho Martinez kickstarted the comeback for Tenerife in their second-round Copa del Rey fixture, scoring in the 60th minute, Alvaro Romero put them in front in extra time before Sergio Gonzalez notched the winner in the 122nd minute.
Fabio Gonzalez is the only question mark for Las Palmas heading into this match, as the midfielder is dealing with an ankle injury which will likely keep him sidelined until the middle of January.
Only six players who started the opening round fixture for Los Amarillos in this competition were in the starting 11 versus Tudelano, Aaron Escandell, Juanma Herzog, Daley Sinkgraven, Omenuke Mfulu, Cristian Herrera and Sory Kaba.
Kaba notched their opening goal in the second-round last month, while Munir was the hero, with the Moroccan substitute netting in the latter stages of extra-time
Tenerife possible starting lineup:
Soriano; Bunuel, Amo, Williams, Medrano; Dauda, Sanz; Teto, Lopez, Martinez; Angel
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Escandell; Park, Coco, Marmol, Cardona; Munoz, Loiodice, Pejino; Munir, Herrera, Kaba
We say: Tenerife 0-0 Las Palmas (Tenerife advance on penalties)
Las Palmas may be the higher-seeded team, but we believe these sides are evenly matched, with both boasting solid defensive units.
The further this match remains even, the more it benefits Tenerife, who should be aided by having the crowd in their favour against their bitter rivals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
