Copa Del Rey: FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF

FC Barcelona will be hoping to make it seven wins from their past seven matches on Wednesday night, when they welcome Getafe CF to the Camp Nou in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash with the Madrid-based outfit. Just a few weeks ago, the Blaugrana overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Getafe 5-2, and as a result, will be confident of their chances of a comfortable win today.

However, with a crunch clash with Atletico Madrid on their minds, Barcelona may be distracted, and in recent years, they have struggled with the hectic January schedule. Getafe may have La Liga fixtures to focus on as well, but really, the prestige that would accompany a knockout win over the Blaugrana is far greater than a measly La Liga victory or two.

And if Getafe could storm into a 2-0 lead in La Liga, why wouldn’t they have a chance in this tie? Barcelona will rotate their squad to some extent, meaning that the fringe players who come into the team will have to perform to their very best. Are they up to the task? Will Barcelona put one foot into the quarter-finals with a win today?

P.S. - Lionel Messi returns to the squad for the first time in over six weeks. In less than a week’s time, Messi will find out whether he has secured his fifth successive Ballon d’Or, but knowing the Argentine, he will be looking forward to returning to action just that little bit more than any individual honours.