Our prediction for this Copa del Rey match:
Elche
Match Time & Date:
6 January 2024
17:00
Prediction: 1-2
Girona
A place in the Copa del Rey last 16 will be at stake when Elche and Girona face each other at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Saturday afternoon. Los Franjiverdes aim to put an end to their three-game winless run, but they will have a big fish to fry against the high-flying Catalans. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
Girona, on the other hand, recorded a thrilling 4-3 win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to retain second place in the La Liga standings. The Catalan outfit have big ambitions for the 2023/2024 Copa del Rey campaign as well and we predict that they are going to prove their worth on the field. As for the away side, all Artero, Garcia, Herrera, Jastin, Lopez, Roca, and Villa are sidelined with injuries, while Tsygankov is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Christian Stuani):
Cristhian Stuani is considered one of the best Uruguay attackers. Stuani was born on 12 October, 1986 and he began his senior career at Danubio. He impressed with the Uruguayan outfit, scoring 23 goals in 36 appearances for the club and, as a result, he became a target for a number of top European clubs.
In 2008 he signed a contract with Reggina, but he failed to impress in 17 appearances for the Italian team. After spending the 2012/2013 season on loan at Espanyol, Christian Stuani signed a permanent deal with the Catalan side in 2013. Stuani scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances for Espanyol in the 2014/2015 Primera Division campaign, but at the end of the season he moved to Middlesbrough for a reported €3 million fee.
The 186-cm-tall striker made his Uruguay debut on 14 November, 2012 in a friendly win over Poland. Stuani also represented la Celeste at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Highlighted Team (Elche):
Established in 1923, Elche is a Spanish club that competes in La Liga. Los Franjiverdes welcome their rivals at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, the stadium which can hold up to 33,732 spectators. The venue was opened on September 8, 1976.
Elche wear white shirts with green stripe and white shorts when playing at home, while black is the dominant colour of their away jersey. The club’s biggest success came in 1969 as Elche made it to the Copa del rey final. Los Franjiverdes faced Club Atletico de Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final, with the Basques winning the match by one goal to nil.
The likes of Mario Pasalic, Ivan Bolado, Garry Rodrigues, Goran Djorovic, Albert Nadj, Wakaso, Moha, Carlos Sanchez, Ioan Andone, Enzo Roco, Dominique Malonga, Richmond Boakye, and Sory Kaba are some of the notable players who were part of the team in the past. Elche have never represented Spain in European competitions.
Auda
Larne 
Dinamo Minsk
Ludogorets
Linfield
Shelbourne
Aktobe
Legia
Ilves
Shakhtar Donetsk
CFR Cluj
Paks
