Villarreal prepare to host Celta in King's Cup return leg
Posted Tuesday, January 12, 2010 by chinaview.cn
MADRID, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Villarreal are to entertain Celta Vigo on Tuesday in the first of eight King's Cup return leg matches to be played during the week.
Television rights mean that the Copa del Rey will be spread over three days to ensure the maximum amount of televised soccer, something that has not always pleased coaches or fans, who have in general stayed away from this season's Cup matches.
Villarreal's return leg against a side struggling to avoid relegation from Spain's second division is unlikely to be played in front of more than 10,000 fans despite the tie being in the balance.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Celta's Balaidos Stadium last week and Villarreal are clear favorite to progress to the quarterfinals.
Ernesto Valverde's team is unbeaten in five matches in the La Liga and one of the in-form teams in Spain, despite a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Almeria at the weekend.
Valverde's main problem could be injuries to key players Cani, Santi Cazorla and defender Angel, but with Celta being intent on avoiding the drop to Spain's third category, it is also likely their rivals will also be at less than full strength.
The bulk of the matches, including Barcelona's trip to Sevilla, will be played on Wednesday.
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