Hercules are eager to return to Segunda Division and they made a flying start to the season. However, los Herculanos have not been in a fine form of late and they head into Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Barcelona following back-to-back defeats to the likes of Villarreal II and Alcoyano. The Segunda B team are regarded as big underdogs in the first leg, but one thing is for sure: they are likely to leave their hearts on the field. Hercules set up a meeting with Barca by beating the likes of Andorra, Cartagena and Cornelia, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in the Copa del Rey last 32. Jesus Berrocal is likely to lead the attack for the hosts against Barcelona, but I believe that the opposition defenders are capable of preventing him from scoring in the first leg.
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Pena and Roman return to contention after missing the Alcoyano game through suspension, while the likes of Nieto and Chema remain in the recovery room. Javi Flores is doubtful.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Buigues – Pena, Bueso, Dalmau, Fernando – Flores, Gaspar, Checa, Minano – Salinas, Berrocal.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have been struggling in the 2016/2017 La Liga campaign. The title holders have already dropped 12 points in the league and, as a result, they are sitting in second place in the standings, six points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Luis Enrique’s troops are desperate to return to winning ways after they failed to impress in a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad and I am positive that the coach is going to field a very strong starting line-up against Hercules. As things stand now, Barca are unlikely to win the La Liga trophy and there is every chance the visitors will take Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game very seriously. Paco Alcacer is likely to lead the attack for the visitors and he will certainly give 100% to find the net in the Copa del Rey clash. Taking everything into account, Barcelona are likely to emerge triumphant in the first leg.
Jordi Alba is unlikely to be risked, while Luis Suarez is widely expected to start from the bench. The likes of Arda Turan and Andres Iniesta remain on the sidelines through injury.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen – Digne, Mascherano, Marlon, Roberto – Rafinha, Suarez, Busquets – Neymar, Messi, Alcacer.
Hercules vs Barcelona betting tip: over 2.5 win Barcelona
