Preview: Amorebieta vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

Both these sides have been struggling in their respective leagues this season, with the hosts currently in the Segunda Division relegation zone, while the visitors are the first side above the dotted line in La Liga.

Match preview

After securing promotion back to the second tier last season, Amorebieta are in real danger of heading straight back down, currently second bottom in the league with just 15 points after the first half of the campaign.

The Blues have a record of three wins, six draws, and 12 losses this term, which leaves them five points behind Alcorcon in 20th place and eight points behind Andorra, who are the first side above the drop zone.

The hosts' dismal performance this season also led to the sacking of the now-former manager Haritz Mujika, with Jandro Castro taking up the role on December 13.

However, the new boss is yet to win his first match in his new role following a 1-1 draw to Real Zaragoza on his debut, while last week, his side were beaten 2-1 by Alcorcon at home to extend their recent run to three matches without victory.

Amorebieta's only win in their last six matches came in this competition when they beat Levante 1-0 on the road at the start of last month, while they were beaten in four and drew one of the other five games in that time.

Meanwhile, Celta Vigo avoided relegation by just three points last season, and based on their return over the first half of the current campaign, they look set to battle the drop again this term.

The Sky Blues have managed just 16 points from their first 19 league games this season, which leaves them in 17th place in La Liga and just one point above Cadiz, who are the first side below the red line.

However, after only managing one win in their first 14 league games, Rafael Benitez's side have begun to show signs of life over the last month, losing just one of their last five games while drawing two and winning two.

The most recent of those victories came in midweek when they overcame top-half opponents Real Betis at home, thanks to goals from Iago Aspas before a late winner from Williot Swedberg.

The visitors have already beaten Turegano (4-0) and Sestao River (2-1) in the preceding rounds of this competition and are heavily fancied to book their place in the last 16 with another victory in this one.

Amorebieta Copa del Rey form:

Amorebieta form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

L

Celta Vigo Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Celta Vigo form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

L

W

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Team News

The hosts will have to make do without the services of defender Manu Hernando, who will be forced to sit out this match due to an accumulation of yellow cards over the first half of the season.

Aside from Hernando, Castro has a full squad at his disposal, though Unai Marino did miss their last outing with a muscle injury and could be a doubt for this one.

Celta also have a suspension to deal with in this match, with Ivan Villar set to serve the first of his three-match ban following his straight red against Real Betis in midweek.

Mihailo Ristic and Carl Starfelt are both flagged as doubts for this match due to injury, Joseph Aidoo is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury and Jonathan Bamba has been called up to his national squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Amorebieta possible starting lineup:

Cunat; Nunez, Hernando, Garreta, Lasure; Dorrio, Sibo, Carbonell, Morcillo; Jauregi, Eraso

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Marchesin; Vasquez, Tapia, Nunez, Sanchez; Rodriguez, Beltran, Doctor, Cervi; Swedberg, Douvikas

We say: Amorebieta 1-2 Celta Vigo

After a very poor first four months of the 2023-24 campaign, Celta Vigo finally started to find some form over the last month and will head into this match with bags of confidence, having lost just one of their last five matches. The hosts are expected to give this one a good go, but we are backing the visitors to progress to the last 16.

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