The Road to the 2024 Spanish Copa del Rey: Quarterfinals Preview and Betting Lines
Mallorca vs. Girona: A Clash of LaLiga Contenders
The quarterfinal round of the 2024 Spanish Copa del Rey reaches its penultimate stage on Wednesday, January 24, with two highly anticipated matches set to unfold. In the earlier fixture, Mallorca, the surprise package of the season, welcomes Girona, the current leaders of LaLiga, to the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca.
Girona has been in scintillating form this season, topping the LaLiga standings with a remarkable 16-4-1 record. Their attacking prowess has been a key factor in their success, with the team boasting league-highs in both goals scored (52) and assists (40). Leading the charge for Girona is Cristhian Stuani, the Uruguayan striker who has netted 15 goals in LaLiga so far this season.
Mallorca, on the other hand, have exceeded expectations this season, sitting comfortably in the top half of the table. Their run to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals has been impressive, highlighted by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tenerife in the Round of 16. Canadian forward Cyle Larin was the hero for Mallorca, scoring a dramatic goal in the 120th minute to send his team through.
The betting lines for this match favor Girona, with the visitors priced at +105 to win. Mallorca, meanwhile, are considered underdogs at +270, while a draw is offered at +220. Despite the odds, Mallorca will be buoyed by the support of their home crowd and will be determined to cause an upset.
FC Barcelona vs. Athletic Club: A Battle of LaLiga Heavyweights
In the later fixture on Wednesday, FC Barcelona, the giants of Spanish football, travel to the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao to face Athletic Club, a team that has been enjoying a resurgence under manager Ernesto Valverde.
Barcelona, despite a disappointing start to the season, have found their rhythm under new manager Xavi Hernandez. The Catalan club currently sit in third place in LaLiga, just two points behind leaders Girona. Their attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, João Félix, and Ansu Fati has been in prolific form, contributing a combined 35 goals in the league so far.
Athletic Club, meanwhile, have been a revelation this season, challenging for a top-four finish in LaLiga and reaching the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Their success has been built on a solid defense, which has conceded the third-fewest goals (21) in the league. In-form striker Iñaki Williams has been a key figure for Athletic Club, scoring 12 goals in LaLiga this season.
The two teams played out a tight contest when they met in LaLiga earlier this season, with Barcelona eventually securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Marc Guiu. This time around, Athletic Club will be looking to exact revenge and book their place in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
The betting lines for this match are relatively even, with Barcelona given a slight edge at +140 to win. Athletic Club are priced at +180 to pull off an upset, while a draw is offered at +230. This promises to be a closely fought encounter between two of LaLiga’s top teams.
How to Watch the Copa del Rey Quarterfinals
Both Copa del Rey quarterfinals will be available exclusively on the ESPN+ streaming service in the United States. ESPN+ offers a wide range of soccer coverage, including international events, Spanish LaLiga, German Bundesliga, and other leagues from around the world.
The monthly cost for ESPN+ is $10.99, but there are savings opportunities available through an annual plan and bundling with Disney+ and Hulu.
Conclusion
The quarterfinal round of the 2024 Spanish Copa del Rey promises to deliver two captivating matches between some of the top teams in LaLiga. Mallorca and Girona will face off in a battle of surprise packages, while FC Barcelona and Athletic Club will clash in a heavyweight showdown. With so much at stake, both matches are sure to produce plenty of excitement and drama.
Tune in to ESPN+ on Wednesday, January 24, to catch all the action from the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Don’t miss a minute of the thrilling football as the road to the final continues!