Copa del Rey | Round of 32

Jan 7, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat

Eldense vs Valencia

Match preview

Eldense currently play in the Segunda Division after being promoted from the third tier at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, and then finishing 16th in the second tier in 2023-24.

Dani Ponz's team have had a tough time in the Segunda Division this season, only getting 21 points from their 21 games. This has left them in 19th place in the table, and they haven't won in their last six league games.

Deportivo have bagged two away wins in the Copa del Rey this term, with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Paso at the end of October and a 1-0 win against Cadiz at the start of December.

Eldense haven't been past the last-32 stage of the Copa del Rey since way back in the 1986-87 campaign, so there's plenty riding on this match. It would be a massive achievement if they could get past their La Liga opponents.

Valencia, as I mentioned, were in La Liga action on Friday night, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, but Los Che will still be wondering how they managed to lose from a position of such strength.

The six-time Spanish champions were 1-0 up heading into the final five minutes and had one more player on the pitch, with Vinicius Junior being sent off for Los Blancos. Luka Modric levelled the scores before Jude Bellingham won it for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the last few minutes.

The match was also the start of Carlos Corberan's time as head coach, and the Spaniard will now be hoping for his first win, with the 41-year-old taking over from Ruben Baraja last month.

Valencia are currently in 19th place in the La Liga table and haven't won in their last five league matches, so the Copa del Rey is a welcome distraction. They've beaten Parla Escuela and Ejea in the competition this term.

Los Che have won the Copa del Rey eight times, their last success in the tournament coming back in 2018-19, while they made the final in 2021-22 but were knocked out in the round of 16 last term.

Recent Performance

Eldense Copa del Rey form:WW

Eldense form (all competitions):DWLDLD

Valencia Copa del Rey form:WW

Valencia form (all competitions):WLLDDL

Team News

Juanto Ortuno has been Eldense's top scorer this season, netting five times in 20 appearances in all competitions, and the 32-year-old is likely to start for the hosts.

Ivan Chapela, who has netted four times in 23 appearances this season, is also expected to feature, while Alan Godoy is also in contention despite failing to find the net in 13 appearances this term.

Valencia will have Pepelu back in the squad after missing the Real Madrid game through suspension, but the visitors will again be without a number of first-team players.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Rafa Mir, Jose Gaya, Fran Perez, Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correia are all unavailable.

There were no fresh problems against Real Madrid, but head coach Corberan will make changes to his side, with Martin Tejon, Iker Cordoba, German Valera, Sergi Canos and Hugo Guillamon also set to feature from the opening whistle.

Hugo Duro is Valencia's top scorer this season with five goals, but the Spaniard is expected to be rested, at least for the start.

Possible starting lineup

Eldense possible starting lineup:

Martin; Gamez, Monsalve, Grigore, Maros; Juanto, Lachkab, Bernal, Jorquera; Chapela, Godoy

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Mosquera, Tarrega, Codroba, Vazquez; Tejon, Almeida, Pepelu, Guillamon, Valera; Canos