Barcelona will be bidding to avoid what would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Copa del Rey when they take on fourth-tier outfit Barbastro in the last-32 stage of the 2024-25 tournament on Saturday evening.

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Barbastro managed to reach the last-32 stage of last season's Copa del Rey for the first time, and they have repeated that this term but will be looking to go one better, with the hosts eyeing what would be a sensational result.

Dani Martinez's side play their league football in Spain's fourth tier, having earned promotion from the fifth tier in 2022-23, and they are currently 16th in their domestic table, boasting 17 points from 17 matches.

The hosts will actually bring a four-game unbeaten run into this match, including a 2-0 success over Ejea in their last game before the international break, while they have already claimed a huge scalp in the Copa del Rey this term.

Indeed, after beating Amorebieta 4-0 in the first round, they recorded a 2-0 victory over Espanyol, so Barbastro will be bidding to make it back-to-back successes over Catalan teams playing in the top flight of Spanish football.

Barcelona, meanwhile, entered the winter break on a disappointing note, having suffered back-to-back home defeats to Leganes and Atletico Madrid, which has contributed to them dropping into third spot in the La Liga table.

Not too long ago, it appeared that Hansi Flick's side would run away with the league title this term, but they are now three points behind leaders Atletico, who have a game in hand, so there is plenty of work for the Catalan giants to do.

Barcelona are second in the overall Champions League table, though, picking up 15 points from six matches, with only Liverpool performing better in this season's competition, so it has been a solid first half of the campaign.

Blaugrana are the most successful side in the history of the Copa del Rey, lifting the famous trophy on 31 occasions, but they have not won the title since 2020-21, being eliminated in the last-16, semi-finals and quarter-finals in the last three seasons.

Barcelona's attention will quickly switch to the Spanish Super Cup after this match, with Flick's team taking on Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the tournament on January 8 ahead of a possible final against either Real Madrid or Mallorca.

Barbastro possible starting lineup:

Fabrega; I Garcia, Arroyo, Santigosa; Bautista, Javito, Jaime, Barrera; El Haddadi, Prat, Albin

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, E Garcia, Martin; De Jong, Torre; Fati, Gavi, F Lopez; Torres