Some formalities and some ties in the balance in Spanish Cup return leg

MADRID, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Three days of action in the Spanish Kings Cup knockout tournament kick off on Tuesday as 16 sides look to book their places in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Atletico Madrids Wanda Metropolitano Stadium is likely to see its lowest ever turnout as Atletico complete the formality of assuring their place in the last eight.

Diego Simeone's side won the first leg of their tie 4-0 away to third tier Lleida last week and the main attraction on Tuesday will be seeing Diego Costa and Vitolo get minutes as they continue to move towards full match fitness.

Valencia against Las Palmas is also played on Tuesday with Valencia favorites to progress after a 1-1 draw in the Canary Islands, but Las Palmas coach Paco Jemez will be keen to see his Primera Liga strugglers put in a better defensive effort than in their league defeat to Eibar at the weekend.

Wednesday sees Alaves aim to capitalize on their 3-1 away win to Formentera while Villarreal need to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat when they entertain Leganes.

Real Madrid's tie against Numancia is also a formality, but Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane needs a good performance after a lackluster display away to Celta Vigo on Sunday night saw his side say goodbye to their league title hopes and brought a storm of criticism on the Madrid coach himself.

Barcelona's home tie against Celta Vigo is the highlight of Thursday's matches and is in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Celta drew 2-2 in the Camp Nou in the Liga Santander and a repeat of that would see the Galician side into the last 8, so Barca boss Ernesto Valverde can be expected to field a strong starting 11 for the reigning Cup holders.

Sevilla are clear favorites to qualify after a 2-0 first leg triumph away to Cadiz and coach Vincenzo Montella needs a win to clear away the bad feeling following Sevilla's home defeat to Betis last weekend.

Finally Levante defend a 2-1 advantage when they entertain an Espanyol side boosted by Monday's 1-0 win in Malaga. Enditem