Barcelona, Atletico Madridin standout Copa del Rey semis
There will be a standout Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Tuesday evening, with Barcelona welcoming La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid to their temporary home.
Barcelona are the most successful side in the history of the Copa del Rey, lifting the trophy on 31 occasions, while Atletico are 10-time winners, with the capital team fourth in the all-time list behind Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao (24) and Real Madrid (20).
It would be fair to say that the Copa del Rey is third in the list of priorities for Barcelona in the final months of the season, with the Catalan outfit currently top of the La Liga table and present in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
However, this is Barcelona’s competition, winning the trophy on 31 occasions, and they are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2020-21, so there is plenty on the line for Hansi Flick‘sside.
The second leg of this semi-final will not actually take place until the start of April, and with so much football to come before then, both teams will be desperate to pick up a positive result on Tuesday night.
Atletico are seeking a first Copa del Rey win over Barcelona for 25 years, but it is a tough ask on Tuesday night. Both managers would likely accept a draw if it were offered ahead of kickoff, and we are struggling to separate them in this contest, believing that it will ultimately end in a low-scoring stalemate.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea welcome Championship-bound Southampton
Two struggling sides on downward spirals seek to restore some Premier League parity on Tuesday evening, when Chelsea welcome Championship-bound Southampton to Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca‘s men are reeling from a third straight loss in all competitions – going down 2-1 to Aston Villa – while their visitors put up little resistance in a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.
As we speak, the Chelsea transfer gurus ought to be busy compiling a list of goalkeeping targets for the summer window; after the error-strewn Robert Sanchez was dropped in favour of Filip Jorgensen, it was the Scandinavian’s turn to make a fatal mistake at Villa Park.
For all of Chelsea’s recent turmoil, the Blues faithful should not expect a shred of sympathy from Southampton supporters, whose side could still set a new lowest-ever Premier League points total before their seemingly inevitable drop down to the second tier.
Even with a fully-fit defence, Southampton are carved open with ease more often than not, and the Saints’ depleted backline only spells even more danger for the basement boys.
Chelsea might have persistent problems on the road, but the Blues are good value for a few goals at home and should defy their attacking absences to storm to a routine win over Juric’s men.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Brighton welcome Bournemouth to the Amex Stadium
As the race for European football in the Premier League intensifies, Brighton & Hove Albion are set to host Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Seagulls trounced Southampton 4-0 on Saturday and are in ninth place with 40 points, three points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth, who were beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 22.
Brighton were outstanding against Southampton, with the victors creating nearly four xG, producing 10 big chances and attempting 15 shots from inside the box.
Boss Fabian Hurzeler will be pleased by his side’s response to their 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest on February 1 given his team have only conceded once in their three games since while scoring nine times.
Brighton have won six of their last eight matches – losing two – while keeping four clean sheets, and their tally of 12 points in their past six league games is only bettered by Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton.
Bournemouth’s defence will undoubtedly be tested given Zabarnyi’s dismissal last time out, and the hosts could create several opportunities in front of goal.
However, the Cherries’ form on the road is outstanding, and they will feel they can regularly threaten Brighton during counter-attacks.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Crystal Palace and Aston Villalock horns at Selhurst Park
Both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will be aiming to make it successive wins in the Premier League when they lock horns at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night.
Palace, who occupy 13th spot in the Premier League table, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, while eight-placed Villa were 2-1 winners over Chelsea on the same afternoon.
Palace have a record of eight wins, nine draws and nine defeats from their 26 league matches this season, with a total of 33 points leaving them in 13th spot in the table, 16 points clear of the relegation zone and 10 points off sixth-placed Bournemouth.
The Eagles are six points behind 10th-placed Fulham, and they were 10th last term; a lack of goals this season has thus far cost them a spot higher up the table, but there is plenty of time for that to change.
Villa have only won four of their 12 away Premier League matches this season, but Palace have struggled at home, posting just two wins; the Eagles have shared the points on five occasions in front of their own fans, though, and we can see an entertaining contest finishing all square on Tuesday night.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Spanish Copa Del Rey
Semi-finals
Barcelona 20:30 Atlético Madrid
Crystal Palace 19:30 Aston Villa
The post Today’s Copa Del Rey Semis & Midweek Premier League Fixtures & Previews appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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