Copa Del Rey 16,17 & 18 Jan

Tuesday’s games

The only game tonight is Barcelona v CD Alaves at the Nou Camp. In the first leg Barca won 2-0 and so they will be going into tonight’s game with a big advantage, so we might see them take their foot off the gas. Recently Barcelona have not been scoring so frequently, losing 3-1 this week to Espanyol and drawing 1-1 in their two matches prior to that. Segunda side Alaves are currently mid table and doing ok, all of these factors make me think that the handicap for this match is a little too high. Have a two point bet on CD Alaves (+1 ¾) at 1.84.

[Barca won 3-2]

Wednesday’s games

Mallorca travel to Deportivo in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey. The home side won the last match 2-1 and so go into the match with the advantage. The sides are evenly matched (14th and 15th in La Liga respectively), Mallorca have a decent away record (beating Seville 2-1 last week) whereas Deportivo have a poor home record. I would not normally have a bet but the price is a tempting one. I recommend a one point bet on Mallorca (level) at 2.79.

[Mallorca drew 1-1]

Athletico Madrid will travel to Osasuna and try to improve on their 1-1 draw last time around. Athletico are one of the few sides in La Liga with a far better away record than home and with a strong run of results in La Liga recently they will be in high spirits. Osasuna have also had a good run of results of late and so I think this is a tough match to call. I would have a two point bet on Osasuna (-0.5) at 2.35.

[Osasuna won 2-0]

I would stay well away from Real Zaragoza v Malaga, Real won 3-0 away in the last leg and I don’t see any value in this game. It is a no bet for me.

Rayo Valecano will travel to Seville today in an attempt to knock out Seville as they did Espanyol in the last round, the first leg ended 0-0 so there is all to play for. Seville have the best home record in La Liga but of late they have been in poor form and are only just clinging onto first place. Valecano have put in a number of solid results so far in this competition and I recommend a two point bet on Vallecano (+2) at 1.58.

[Seville won 3-1]

Valladolid travel to Villarreal with a 2-1 advantage from the last match. The visitors are currently leading La Segunda and are unbeaten since the beginning of October. Villarreal have had sporadic results all season and remain fairly unpredictable. I think the bookies have this match about right though and there is not much value here.

Getafe travel to Valencia hoping to improve on the 1-1 draw of the first leg. Valencia’s season is improving and they are big favourites for the match. Although Getafe have a great defence they lost 2-0 to Valencia earlier this season and they do not play so well away from home. I expect Valencia to win but there is little value in any of the handicaps and so this is a no bet for me.

Thursday's games

Real Betis travel to Madrid to take on Real today, the visitors managed a 0-0 draw in the last leg but they will have a tough time getting a result today. Although Real are currently in thid place in La Liga, their recent form has been sporadic to say the least and I am sure that the Beckham saga is not helping at the moment. Betis are currently struggling in La Liga and are sitting in the relegation zone at present, their form has been up and down all season and so this is a difficult match to predict. I think the bookmakers have given little away for this match and so it is a no bet for me.