Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona

Two closely matched teams separated by just four points in the Spanish La Liga standings meet here in Copa del Rey action. Sixth-ranked Barcelona can play any style with a defense that has allowed 23 goals in 20 matches (the sixth-best). That defense keeps them in games, especially away from home where they are on a 3-1-4 run with ties at Celta Vigo (3-3), Osasuna (2-2), Sevilla (1-1), and at Granda (1-1). Ninth-ranked Athletic Bilbao has home field for this one, and it is all about defense and keeping games close, outscoring league foes 20-17 behind the second-best defense. Their 10 ties in 21 games lead the league. These rivals played a 1-1 tie when they last met in August, and this shapes up as another evenly matched deadlock all the way. Play the DRAW.