Wednesday 9 January 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Recreativo - Villarreal
20:00 Zaragoza - Racing
20:00 Athletic - Espanyol
20:00 Betis - Valencia
20:00 Getafe - Levante
22:00 Sevilla - Barcelona
Thursday 10 January 2008
20:00 Atletico Madrid - Valldaolid
22:00 Mallorca - Real Madrid
Recreativo Huelva - Villarreal
Recre traveled to Vila-Real just before Christmas and left with a point - a respectable result, to be sure, but one indicative of more for the then-hosts than the Huelva men.
For Villarreal are in the midst of a poor run of form at the moment. They've now won just one of their last six Liga games, most recently falling 3-0 to Espanyol.
In the Copa, the Yellow Submarine were fortunate enough to do the hard work away to UD Las Palmas in the first leg; they only just scraped a 2-1 win in the second, but sailed through regardless.
Recre, meanwhile, were held 1-1 at home by Zerez, but qualified 2-1 on aggregate. They're still underdogs, but Villarreal arrive in some desperation, and one wonders if a shock could be on the cards.
Real Zaragoza - Racing Santander
Zaragoza, meanwhile, are themselves keen to avenge their 1-1 home draw against Racing from earlier in the season, but few would say that it'll be easy.
The Santander men are traditionally stronger at home, having lost their last three Liga games on the road, but Zaragoza are far below the verdiblancos in the table, betraying their own perilous start to the season.
One major blow for the visitors is that sprightly forward Pedro Munitis is out of action with a wrist injury. However, Mohammed Tchite is eager to impress.
Athletic Bilbao - Espanyol
Athletic felt the wrath of Racing at the weekend, but coach Caparros will be hopeful of pulling off a shock as the injury crisis around San Mames lessens.
Gorka Iraizoz and Aitor Ocio are set to make comebacks, as is Joseba Exteberria. However, they'll have their work cut out for them against on-form Espanyol.
The perequitos are firmly in third place after thumping Villarreal at the weekend. What's more, they edged past Deportivo in the last round of the Copa, and will hope to do the same here by gaining at least a draw.
Real Betis - Valencia
Betis found themselves largely outclassed by Sevilla in the big Andalucian derby on Sunday evening, with coach Chaparro tasting defeat for the first time in the Liga as current boss.
Now, though, an off-form Valencia come calling, and there is prehaps more pressure on the misfiring visitors than the hosts.
Los Che gave Levante their first away point of the season at the weekend with a 0-0 home draw, and despite a 3-0 win at home against Real Union in the last Copa match, all is not well at the Mestalla.
Indeed, spirits are not high, and squad problems remain manifold. Joaquin has stated that only the players can turn it around dnow - a positive result here, in what is Valencia's last chance for silverware, would be a good start.
Getafe - Levante
Super Geta were left looking not so super on Sunday as Valladolid strolled to a 3-0 win at the Coliseum, with the normally solid Pato Abbondanzieri having a poor game between the posts.
Now, though, it's time to forget about that result and look instead at burying Levante, who arrive off the back of two consecutive away draws, one in the Liga and the other, against Almeria, in the cup.
Confidence is creeping up in the granota half of Valencia, but last season's finalists have already beaten them 2-1 at the Coliseum this season, albeit in a very close encounter.
Sevilla - Barcelona
Sevilla and Barcelona both enjoyed much-needed weekend wins ahead of what may well be the tie of the round.
Their respective Copa misadventures in the second leg of the last round were not up to standard, but that's all been forgotten after victories at the weekend. Now, the reigning champions welcome a blaugrana side eager to impress.
Barcelona edged Sevilla 2-1 at Camp Nou in an earlier meeting this season, but the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan may provide a very different experience for a side that is still not always on form away from home.
Sevilla, meanwhile, will hope to build on that stunning derby win from Sunday.
Atletico Madrid - Real Valladolid
Moving on to Thursday, and Atleti's quest for silverware continues against Real Valladolid.
Valladolid have scored six goals in two games, edging Murcia 3-2 away from home in the last round of the Copa before thrashing Getafe; as they return to the capital area, they'll look to keep that streak going.
But Atleti are no mugs, having themselves put three past Deportivo at the weekend. A 1-1 draw with Granada 74 last week dulled the successful run slightly, but even so, it was enough to qualify.
Real Mallorca - Real Madrid
Thursday evening closes with Mallorca playing host to a top two side for the second time i nthe space of a week. They lost out 2-0 at home to Barcelona in the Liga at the weekend, and now table-topping Real Madrid will come calling.
Madrid must improve on their weekend showing: they may have defeated Real Zaragoza 2-0, but they were up against it for large portions of the encounter.
The Islanders, meanwhile, did not disgrace themselves against Barca, but must find cutting edge. Moreover, they must defend with aplomb to ensure that Madrid don't turn on the style for two moments and punish them accordingly.
We've seen it happen on countless occasions this season, but still, there is reason to be hopeful. Mallorca are the only Liga side to have put three goals past the capital club this season: they may have lost 4-3, but it shows that Madrid aren't invincible.
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