Who might FC Barcelona face in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals?

Following the last two Copa del Rey last sixteen matches on Thursday night, we now know which eight teams will be going into Friday’s draw for the quarter finals.

One of those of course is the defending champion and holder of a record 27 titles in the competition, FC Barcelona, who saw off local rivals Espanyol 6-1 on aggregate to book their place in the last eight.

Here’s a quick rundown of the seven possible rivals that Barça could be meeting in their quest to reach a fifth final in six years.

Mirandés

The second division outfit are the surprise package of the competition yet again, having reached the quarters for the second time in four years. From Miranda de Ebro in the province of Burgos, they knocked out Osasuna, Oviedo and Málaga before winning 3-0 away to Deportivo to book their place in Friday’s draw.

Sevilla

Always a tough opponent, especially at their home ground, Sevilla got past Logronés before routing their intra-city rivals Real Betis in the last 16 by an aggregate score of 6–0. Sevilla are currently 7th in La Liga and beat Barça 2-1 back in October.

Athletic Club

The Basques are looking to make the final for the fourth time in eight years. In each of the previous finals they have played, and lost to, FC Barcelona. But they are also the side that beat the Catalans to win the Spanish Super Cup at the start of the season. The ‘Lions’, who Barça host in the league on Sunday, knocked out lower league Linense and then Villarreal in the last 16, and are currently 8th in La Liga.

Las Palmas

The Canary Island-based team came from behind to beat Eibar 3-2 this week to make it into the last eight, having knocked out Real Sociedad in the previous round. Las Palmas’ cup run is in stark contrast to their league form, which currently sees them 16th in the table.

Celta

The Galicians are in the quarter-finals after vanquishing Second Division B side Cádiz in the last 16 by an aggregate score of 5–0, having beaten Almeria in the round before that. Their impressive defeat of Barça earlier this season goes to show that they are not a side to be taken lightly, and they’re well in contention for a Champions League slot next term.

Valencia

The side managed by former Man United great Gary Neville already looked home and dry after beating Granada 4-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 tie, and they confirmed their superiority with a 3-0 win in the return. Valencia have won this title seven times in the past, the last time in 2008.

Atlético Madrid

After seeing off Catalan club Reus in their opening Copa del Rey match, Atlético then faced local rivals Rayo Vallecano. The first leg ended 1-1 but two goals from Griezmann and another from Correa did the trick in the second. First and second in La Liga, Atlético and Barça are already scheduled to meet at the Camp Nou on January 30.