Celta de Vigo will host Athletic Club in the first leg of the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey this evening at the Estadio de Balaidos. These two clubs are coming off of identical losses in league play as both sides lost away from home by a final score of 1-0. Celta lost to Sevilla, while Athletic would lose a match that they really should have won to Deportivo La Coruna.

Athletic Club reached this round of the Copa by defeating Segunda B club Alcoyano by an aggregate score of 2-1. The first leg would have been enough since they scored an away goal, but Viguera’s goal in the 39th minute of play. For Celta, they lost the first round of 16 leg to La Liga Adelante side, Las Plamas by a score of 2-1, but turned it around at home as they scrapped by with an aggregate score of 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals.

In league play, however, Celta de Vigo have not won a league match since their 0-1 at the Camp Nou in early November. But not only have they not won a match, Celta haven’t even been able to find the back of the net as they have been kept off the score sheet seven consecutive times during league play. This Copa Del Rey tie is the perfect opportunity for them to find their confidence in the final third before they tumble down the table any farther.

Bilbao have also found it tough in La Liga as of late as the Basque club finished 2014 with a defeat to Cordoba and a 1-1 draw to Real Sociedad. They do have more about them in front of goal and this should be enough to see of their opponents. The only thing that Athletic should worry about is Celta de Vigo’s defense as they have only allowed in 19 goals all season while Athletic Club’s goal scoring record is not that great, having found the back of the net on just 14 separate occasions.  

Celta de Vigo probable starting XI: Sergio; Sergi Gomez, Planas, Fontas, Hugo Mallo; Alex Lopez, Radoja; Orellana, Krohn-Delhi, Augusto Fernandez; Santa Mina

Athletic Club probable starting XI: Iago Herrein; Balenziaga, Laporte, Xabi Etxeita, Iraola; Mikel Rico, Iturraspae; Muniain, Benat, Susaeta; Aduriz