PREVIEW | Cup returns with eight spectacular clashes

The Copa del Rey returns with eight promising Last 16 matches, still with representatives from the Second Division and First Federation. The matches, which are single elimination matches, will be broadcast on La 1, La 2 and Movistar +.

On Tuesday, the first three matches will be played, all on Movistar +. At 20:00, Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz get Getafe CF - Sevilla FC off to a start. Both teams progressed to this round after beating their opponents by just one goal. One hour later, CD Tenerife, the only team from the Second Division in the competition, play RCD Mallorca. At the same time, Athletic Club and Deportivo Alavés will meet in an exciting Basque derby,  with neither side conceding a goal in the previous round.

Three other matches are scheduled for Wednesday. First up are Valencia CF and RC Celta de Vigo (Movistar +). The Valencians have the advantage over the Galicians in the league table, but that will count for nothing during this exciting tie. At 21:00 (Movistar +), CA Osasuna - Real Sociedad de Fútbol, with Osasuna are looking to turn their fortunes around after their elimination in the Super Cup, while Real Sociedad are still going strong in all the tournaments they are in. At 21:30 (La 2/Teledeporte), Girona FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid will face each other. The Primera Division leaders will be looking to extend their good form in the cup, while Rayo are aiming to at least equal their best record in the competition, having reached the semi-finals in the 1981/82 and 2021/22 seasons.

Click here to see the refereeing appointments for this round.

On Thursday 1 at 19:30, Unionistas de Salamanca CF - FC Barcelona (Movistar +), where the last representative of the Primera Federación and the recent runners-up of the Spanish Super Cup cross paths. The Salamanca team was the only one that went all the way to a penalty shoot-out to qualify. Finally, at 21:30 (La 1), Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF will replay the Madrid derby played just a few days ago in the Super Cup in search of the last ticket to the quarter-finals.

All that remains is to wait for the starting whistle to see the best goals, dribbles and saves as their fans celebrate this fiesta of football.