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King's Cup return matches promise more drama in some than in others

Xinhua, January 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The return legs of the last 16 in the Spanish King's Cup knockout tournament will be played over the next four days with some ties expected to produce more drama than others.

Anyone wanting to see if Real Madrid can overturn their 2-0 deficit to Atletico Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will have to wait until Thursday night in order to do so and there will be a great deal more drama in that game than in the one between Elche and FC Barcelona which is played directly afterwards.

While Real Madrid will look to the pressure of the fans in the Bernabeu to help them in what would be an impressive fightback, Elche know that after a 5-0 defeat in the first leg they have no chance of beating Barca and with his side focused on avoiding relegation, coach Fran Escriba is likely to field a team of fringe players, as is Barca boss Luis Enrique.

The return leg matches kick off with Malaga looking to defend a 2-0 lead away to struggling Levante, who like Elche, have also placed Primera Liga survival above the need to progress in the Cup.

Espanyol and Valencia should offer more interest as Espanyol, who are strong at home, look to overturn a 2-1 first leg defeat, knowing a 1-0 win would be enough to see them into the last 8.

Wednesday sees Real Sociedad look to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat at home to a skillful Villarreal in a game where the Basques will need to stop their rivals from scoring an away goal.

Athletic Club Bilbao will look to forget their dreadful league form and make good last week's 4-2 win away to Celta Vigo. Celta need to score three goals to have a chance of progressing, something which looks unlikely, while Athletic have to find some form after Sunday's league defeat to Elche.

Sevilla will also expect to progress after winning 2-1 in Granada in a game where they looked clearly superior to their opponents, who gave themselves a lifeline with a 90th minute goal from substitute Lass.

Finally Getafe and Almeria will decide matters after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, although given both side's league form the Cup is a distraction both could probably do without. Endi