Barcelona are set to face Valencia in Copa del Rey on Thursday at Mestalla. This encounter will mark the ninth time these two sides will meet in this competition at that venue. Interestingly, for

Fermin Lopez is in contention to start if Barcelona decide against risking Gavi, while Frenkie de Jong is also pushing for a starting spot following his appearance as a half-time substitute at the weekend.

With Champions League and Europa League going through a brief stop, domestic competitions resume this week. In England, The semifinals of the ELF Cup and the round of 32 of the FA Cup will be played in the next eight years. In Spain, the quarterfinals for the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) also take place this week.

Barcelona have already won the Spanish Super Cup this season, and they will have their eyes on further success in the Copa del Rey, for which they are one of the favourites alongside Real Madrid and

Dimitri Foulquier is one of a few Valencia players who complained about some discomfort following Sunday's win over Celta Vigo, but he will hope to shake off any knocks to take his place in the backline alongside Cesar Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera and Jose Gaya.

Barcelona are expecting Dani Olmo to be fit and available for Thursday’s Copa del Rey tie with Valencia after recovering from a calf strain. Olmo has missed the matches against Benfica, Valencia, Atalanta and Alaves but should be ready for Thursday’s trip to Mestalla,