Burgos CF
- Burgos CF are in the top half of the Spanish Second Division with 29 points from 19 games.
- Burgos have lost just one of their last three home matches.
- Luis Miguel Ramis has certainly made them a solid and compact unit since taking over at El Plantío.
Valencia CF
- Valencia CF are winless in their last five competitive matches (D3, L2).
- Carlos Corberán’s team are much improved since he introduced a high-intensity pressing game and flexible 4-2-3-1 system that makes them difficult to pin down.
- They have drawn three and lost two in their last five games, leaving them just above the LaLiga relegation zone in 16th after 18 games.
Head-to-Head
- This is their first modern competitive meeting.
- Progress to the quarter-finals would be a huge boost for either side, offloading pressure for Valencia or cementing a historic run for Burgos.
Key Players
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Burgos
- In Iñigo Córdoba, captain and talisman, they have a focal point for their attacks as he can take the ball forward himself and run onto long balls or late runs behind defenders.
- He is the main outlet for them when they get the chance to play forward and he scored the only goal of the game against Eibar last week.
- They have had a few goals from other places, however, with Mario González and Víctor Mollejo providing some good ones.
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Valencia
- Valencia have Hugo Duro as their main centre forward option, but he has been unavailable through selection and suspension in recent weeks and they have lacked a finishing touch.
- Pepelu gives them real energy and composure in the central midfield.
- They can still be cut through and have too many injuries in defence for their own good, with Mouctar Diakhaby and goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala out with hamstring injuries.
Betting Insights
- Valencia are being priced around 2.0 by the bookmakers for what ought to be a tough game.
- Burgos can be backed at 4.23 to win, while the draw is 3.4.
- Both Teams to Score at 1.75 is the favored bet, although Under 2.5 Goals at 1.67 looks a better reflection of the likely cagey nature of the matchup.
Prediction
- Valencia will try to press and dominate possession, looking to play in the space behind the Burgos defence with width from full-backs and wingers, while Burgos will pack a solid defensive line and look to counterattack with the ball.
- Backing Valencia to win 2-1 seems sensible, though a 1-1 draw that goes to extra time or a narrow Burgos 1-0 upset cannot be completely discounted.
