Barcelona vs Levante
Copa del Rey 2018-19
Venue: Camp Nou
Date: Thursday, 17 January, 2019
Kick-off: 8:30pm GMT
Barcelona must overcome a surprise first-leg defeat against Levante if they are going to carry on their Copa del Rey defence.
Barca won the competition last season along with LaLiga, but Levante shocked Ernesto Valverde's side with a 2-1 win in Valencia last week.
Valverde rotated his squad last time out as the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were rested, but the big names will return in Barcelona as the Blaugrana look to overturn that first-leg loss and win the cup for the fifth season in a row.
Score prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Levante
Expect Barca to come out all guns blazing at Camp Nou. While the Copa is not necessarily a priority for the Blaugrana this season, Valverde will not want to see his side knocked out as holders at home.
Team news
Messi and Suarez were rested for the first leg, while Philippe Coutinho failed to shine despite scoring a late penalty. Valverde may be tempted to name close to a full-strength XI to ensure Barca don't slip out of the competition and lose momentum.
Predicted Barca starting line-up: Cillessen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Arthur, Rakitic, Vidal, Coutinho, Messi, Suarez
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Barcelona to win 3-0: 13/2
- Draw: 9/1
- Levante to qualify: 4/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet
TV channel and live stream online coverage
The match will not be televised in the UK. You can follow the action on our LIVE blog with our Spanish correspondent Ben Hayward.
