(Football news) Real Madrid scraped through a 1-0 win over Cacereno in the Round of 32 and since then have had a slump in form. Los Blancos were completely outplayed in the Spanish Super Cup final as they lost 3-1. Real Madrid cannot afford to get knocked out of the Copa Del Rey this early as they haven’t won the competition since 2014. Real Madrid’s last La Liga game was against Villarreal away where they lost 2-1. Now they go back to the scene of crime this time for the Copa Del Rey Round of 16 tie. 

A loss will be catastrophic for Real Madrid whose levels have considerably dropped after a brilliant start to the season. Los Blancos also have a lot of injuries. Aurélien Tchouaméni, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are all out due to injury while Luka Modric isn’t a part of the squad as he is presumably rested. As for Villarreal, Juan Foyth, Kiko Femenia, Giovani Lo Celso, Alfonso Pedraza and Nicolas Jackson are all doubts due to injury. Arnaut Danjuma is working on a transfer and is unlikely to play the match. 

Barcelona on the other hand will be facing 3rd division side AD Ceuta FC. The Blaugrana will be high on confidence having won the Super Cup that too after defeating rivals Real Madrid so convincingly in the final. Xavi will be hoping that his side continues to play in the same manner and this could be a promising season. Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski are suspended in the La Liga but they can play in the Copa Del Rey. Xavi has a fully fit squad at his disposal and Ronald Araujo is the only player who is not traveling with the team as he is rested.

Also read: Atletico Madrid beat Levante 2-0 in the Copa Del Rey Round of 16