Our prediction for this Copa del Rey match:
A place in the Copa del Rey last 16 will be at stake when Navalcarnero and Eibar face each other on Sunday afternoon. Navalcarnero did well to beat Las Palmas 1-0 in the last 64, and, no doubt, they are eager to claim yet another major scalp in the Spanish Cup. The Segunda Division B side are undefeated in the previous eight home games in all competitions, but they are still seen as underdogs in the clash against Eibar.
Los Armeros, on the other hand, survived Las Rozas in the previous round. Eibar can’t afford any complacency in Sunday’s clash, and we are positive that they will take the Copa del Rey game very seriously. Even though Jose Luis Mendilibar is likely to mix the squad against Navalcarnero, we are tempted to put our money on the La Liga side. Japan international Muto is widely expected to lead the line for the visitors.
Highlighted Player (Rafa Soares):
Born in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal, Rafa Soares is a professional footballer who plays for Vitoria Guimaraes as a left-back. Rafa is a product of the Porto football academy, but he did not see any game action in Primeira Liga with the Dragons.
After scoring eight goals in 61 appearances with Porto B, the Portuguese defender spent a couple of seasons on loan at Academica, Rio Ave, and Fulham. In 2018 he played for Portimonense, but nowadays, he wears the number 5 shirt at Vitoria Guimaraes. Rafa Soares has nine caps with the Portugal U21 team, but he has yet to earn a call-up for the Portugal senior team.
His primary position is left-back, but he is used as both left midfielder and left winger as well. Rafa’s preferred foot is left, and he has a contract with Vitoria Guimaraes until June 2021. Rafa Soares made his Primeira Liga debut against Academica back in January 2016, during his spell with Vitoria Setubal.
Highlighted Team (Eibar):
SD Eibar is a Spanish football club from the city Eibar and is currently playing in the Spanish Primera Division. The club was founded in 1940 as Eibar Futbol Club after a fusion between Deportivo Gallo and Union Deportivo Eibaressa.
In the history of the club Eibar was always active in the lower divisions of Spain before promoting to the Primera Division in 2013/2014. Eibar host it’s home games in the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua in Eibar which holds the capacity of 5300. Eibar is currently one of the smallest teams in the Primera Division.
The club colors of Eibar are blue and red. Eibar is also known as the Armaginak or the Armeros which literally means the Gunners. Eibar’s performance in the Primera Division so far is impressive. Eibar is known for playing attractive offensive football. Former Eibar players with an impressive career are: David Silva, Xabi Alonso, Manuel Almunia and Ricardo Varela.