Real Betis the Copa del Rey round of 16 opponents

Next Copa del Rey opponent confirmed. FC Barcelona are set to face Real Betis in a knockout match at home that will take place on January 14/15/16. The game will come sandwiched between the Spanish Super Cup commitments and Barça's trip to Getafe (Wednesday 15 January, kickoff 9.00pm CET).

Back against Betis, 14 years later

So, Barça and Betis are set to meet again in the Copa del Rey some 14 years since the previous encounter. The 2010/11 season saw them play a home and away quarterfinal when Pep Guardiola was at the helm. Barça won 5-0 at home, while Betis – a Segunda División club at the time – won the return leg 3-1, meaning Barça went through on aggregate.

Looking further back to previous meetings, there was the 1997 Copa del Rey final when the blaugranes won through 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

An opponent in form

Real Betis never seem to make things easy for Barça. In fact, they grabbed a draw in added time just a month ago thanks to a goal from Assane Diao, who has since been transferred during this winter window. Flick's Barça drew 2-2 at the Villamarín stadium and Real Betis remain unbeaten since.

Their path through the Copa del Rey has seen them navigate successfully past Génora (1-6), Sant Andreu (1-3) and Huesca (0-1) so far. Their main attacking threats come from Isco and Lo Celso, plus Vitor Roque of course, currently on loan from the blaugranes.