Our prediction for this Copa del Rey match:
Unionistas
Match Time & Date:
07/01/2024
18:00
Prediction: 1-3
Villarreal
Villarreal will look to make amends for a 3-1 loss to Valencia when they take on Unionistas in the Copa del Rey last 32. The Yellow Submarine have big ambitions for the 2023/2024 Spanish Cup campaign and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the lower-league side. Both Alejandro Baena and Santi Comesana are back from suspension, while Raul Albiol has joined the likes of Denis Suarez, Yeremi Pino, Juan Foyth, and Alfonso Pedraza in the recovery room.
The hosts, on the other hand, did well to beat Barcelona B in their last league match, but they will have a mountain to climb against Villarreal, who have been making progress ever since new boss Marcelino took over the reins. Taking everything into account, we predict that the La Liga side will advance to the Copa del Rey last 16.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
Highlighted Team (Villarreal):
Villarreal CF was founded on 10th of March 1923. In the year 1998 Villarreal managed to reach the Primera Division for the first time in history of the club. After 1 season the club could not manage to stay in the league and go regulated to the Segunda Division. In the last couple of years Villarreal developed itself to a stable club in the Primera Division.
This first European succes was in 2003/2004 where the club managed to reach the semi finals in the UEFA cup. In 2004/2005 Villarreal end 3rd on the table in the Primera Division which was a highlight for the club.
The biggest succes was in 2006 when Villarreal managed to reach the semi finals in the Champions League. In the semi finals the club lost with only 1 goal difference against runner up Arsenal. Former known players for Villarreal are: Riquelme, Tomasson, Fernandez, Forlan and Pires.
Manchester United 
Bodo Glimt
Real Sociedad
Ajax
Slavia Prague 
Fenerbahce
Tottenham
AS Roma
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
