Spanish football reconvenes this week as teams from the top two flights prepare to go do battle in the last -16 of the Copa del Rey. The first of four matches on Tuesday night sees Osasuna welcome Eibar to El Sadar.
Clubs in Spain went into the relatively short winter break having played last in this competition and they will kick the second half of the season off in the same manner. In the round of 16 Osasuna overcame Granada with a 2-0 second-leg victory having drawn 0-0 in the first, while Eibar made it through in fairly easy style beating Gijón 5-2 on aggregate.
First and foremost, it will be interesting to see how these two teams approach this match, or indeed the competition in general from this point on. It’s often hard to tell how much significance teams outside of the top three or four will place on the Copa del Rey. For Osasuna, a team who’re embroiled in a relegation scrap, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were willing to swerve the extra games in order to focus their full attentions on staying up, while Eibar – who’ve done well this season, might be more inclined to go as far as they possibly can seeing as though they’re in a secure league position.
From a betting point of view, it’s very easy to like Eibar ahead of this one, especially at the prices. It’s certainly no secret that Osasuna have been easily the worst outfit in La Liga this season. The newly promoted side have struggled from the off – their defending has been well below the standard required to cut it in the top division, while they’ve offered little going forward.
Eibar, on the other hand, are enjoying yet another fruitful campaign. They’ve managed to secured impressive victories over teams such as Villarreal, Celta Vigo, Sociedad and Valencia, as well as earning a hard-fought point at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid.
In truth, it’s hard fault to Los Armeros. Having acquitted themselves well last season, they signed well during the summer – bringing in attack-minded players such as Bebé and seasoned campaigner Pedro León – and have continued to move forward during this campaign.
Before the winter break, Eibar had lost just once in their last seven matches, while Osasuna’s only win in ten was their victory in this competition – although beating a weakened Granada team in unconvincing fashion is hardly anything to shout about and it would be no surprise at all if normal service was resumed here.
The host’s only league victory did come against Eibar back in October, however, in winning 3-2, they scored with three of their four shots on target and were the recipients of some considerable fortune. At no point since that victory have they won, nor have they looked like winning and it’s hard to imagine lightening striking twice for Osasuna.
All things considered, the visitors were in good form before the break and they’re fancied to continue in the same vein. Quite simply, they’re a much better side than Osasuna, while they can certainly afford to take this competition far more seriously than their relegation-threatened opponents.
When Spanish football returns on Tuesday, backing Eibar, at appealing odds of 17/10, is certainly the way to go.
See more tips here.