Unionistas de Salamanca vs Barcelona Prediction (18.01.2024)

On Thursday evening, third tier Unionistas de Salamanca host reigning Spanish champions Barcelona in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

The home team are midtable in the Primera Division RFEF after a mixed campaign so far this season. However, they head into this contest on the back of a four-game unbeaten run. Last time out, they recorded a 2-1 home win over Rayo Majadahonda.

The match ended a run of low-scoring games for Unionistas, as their previous eight games in all competitions had produced under 2.5 goals.

The home team has a decent recent record in the Copa del Rey, as they have won three of their last five games in normal time and one on penalty kicks, suffering just one defeat. The penalty kick triumph was against Villarreal in the last round after a 1-1 home draw with the Yellow Submarine.

The Catalan giants head into this game on the back of a 4-1 El Clasico hammering against bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last time out.

The Blaugrana will be looking to put that defeat behind them, as they had recorded four consecutive competitive wins before the loss against their eternal rivals, having also scored at least two goals in each victory.

Unsurprisingly, Barcelona has a strong record in this competition, as they have won four of their previous five games. Last season, they made it to the competition's semi-finals, only to lose 4-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants are unbeaten in four away games in the Copa del Rey, having recorded three straight away wins in the Copa.

Unionistas will be hoping to cause another shock after eliminating Villarreal last time out. However, I am backing the Blaugrana to have too much quality for the minnows.