Our prediction for this Copa del Rey match:
Girona
Match Time & Date:
05/12/2018
01:30 PM
Prediction: 2-1
Alaves
A place in the Copa del Rey last 16 will be at stake when Girona and Deportivo Alaves face each other at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Wednesday evening. Girona did not make a flying start to the season, but they have been making progress week by week and, as a result, they occupy seventh place in La Liga after 14 rounds. Following a 3-1 win over Espanyol on the road, the Catalan side did well to hold Atletico Madrid to a draw at the weekend, meaning that they must be high on confidence ahead of the Copa del Rey clash. Girona and Deportivo Alaves played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but seeing that Eusebio Sacristan’s men are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we predict that they are going to emerge triumphant in the return leg.
Highlighted Player (Gorka Iraizoz):
Gorka Iraizoz is a goalkeeper who plays for La Liga side Athletic Bilbao. Iraizoz was born in Pamplona on 6 March, 1981 and he is 191 cm tall. The Athletic Bilbao shoot-stopper started his senior career at Basconia, playing 20 matches for the club between 1999 and 2000.
He played for La Liga side Espanyol in the past as well, but on 7 August, 2007 he signed for Athletic Bilbao. Iraizoz made a right decision when he joined the Basque outfit as he participated in the 2011/2012 Europa League final.
However, he did not win the trophy with the Lions as Atletico Madrid rolled over Athletic Bilbao in the title game. He made it to the Copa del Rey final on three occasions with Athletic Bilbao, but he failed to win the Spanish Cup trophy with the Basque team. Gorka Iraizoz made six appearances for the Basque Country, but he has yet to make his Spain debut.
Highlighted Team (Alaves):
Alaves is a Spanish football club located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava. The club were founded in 1921 and they play their home games at Estadio Mendizorrotza. The capacity of the stadium is 19,840 and it has to be noted that it is the third oldest stadium in Spanish football. After spending several years in the Spanish Segunda Division, los Babazorros returned to the top flight in 2016.
The color of Alaves’ home kit is blue and white and the club’s local rivals are fellow Basque sides Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Osasuna and Eibar. Alaves made it to the UEFA CUP final in 2001, but they were beaten by Liverpool 5-4 in a thrilling football clash. Anyhow, that is still regarded as the club’s biggest success. Los Babazorros booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on four occasions and they have yet to win the Primera Division trophy.
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Empoli
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Juventus
Arsenal
Everton
Brighton
West Ham
