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Spain's matchday 22 sees Cup final preview

Xinhua, February 9, 2017 Adjust font size:

Matchday 22 of Spain's Liga Santander gives us a preview of this season's King's Cup knockout competition as FC Barcelona visit Alaves on Saturday afternoon, while Real Madrid get back into action against an Osasuna who have yet to win at home all season.

Wednesday's second semi-final of the King's Cup saw a late goal from Edgar Mendez give Alaves a famous 1-0 win at home to Celta to book the first final appearance in the club's 95-year-history.

As luck would have it their rivals in that final are the next side to visit the Mendizorroza Stadium as Barca look to maintain their title challenge against a team that shocked the Camp Nou Stadium with a 2-1 away win earlier in the campaign.

Barca are without the injured Javier Mascherano, while Edgar will also miss the game after pulling a hamstring shortly after his historic goal.

Real Madrid meanwhile get back into action after their forced rest last weekend following the postponement of last weekend's schedule game in Vigo after wind damaged the Balaidos roof.

The face a trip to Pamplona and Osasuna's El Sadar Stadium, while once was one of the most difficult visits Madrid could make. However, although Osasuna have improved their football of late, the results have not accompanied them and they currently sit bottom of the table without a win in front of their fans all season.

Gareth Bale is still out of action, but Pepe, James Rodriguez and Marcelo are once again available for selection by Zinedine Zidane.

The weekend kicks off on Friday night as Espanyol look to make it four wins out of four with a difficult home game against fifth placed Real Sociedad.

Saturday starts with Valencia needing to recover from last weekend's 4-0 humiliation at home to Eibar. However, Voro Gonzalez's side have a difficult task away to a vastly improved Betis, who have yet to lose in the five home matches they have played under Victor Sanchez.

Deportivo la Coruna are one of three sides who have not won away all season, but will take heart from the fact they have lost just 2 of their previous 10 visits to play Athletic Club Bilbao in the San Mames Stadium.

Athletic will be at full strength and looking for a win to revive their battle for a top-6 finish.

Sunday kicks off with Villarreal at home to Malaga, who have not won in their last eight games, before moving on to what in many ways is the most important game of the weekend as fourth from bottom Leganes entertain third bottom Sporting Gijon.

Sporting last 4-2 at home to Alaves a week ago and know that defeat in this game would virtually assure relegation, while Leganes, who have not won since November, know a victory would give them an eight point cushion over their direct rivals.

Third place Sevilla need to get back to winning ways, but face a difficult visit to Las Palmas, who have not lost at home this season, before the weekend finishes with a game of 'what might have been' as beaten Cup semi-finalists Atletico Madrid and Celta play a game which with different fortunes could so easily have been this year's Cup final. Enditem