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Barcelona head into the second leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash against Celta Vigo on level terms this Thursday, but a reinvigorated squad will be hoping to go one better this time around.

The two teams drew 1-1 at Balaidos last Thursday after Pione Sisto responded to the opener scored by Barca wonderkid Jose Arnaiz, although Celta's chances look slimmer this time around as they head to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde fielded a significantly weakened lineup for that first-leg meeting but is likely to call upon his big guns for the deciding tie.

Celta can match their best unbeaten streak managed so far this season if they avoid defeat and go four without a loss on Thursday, but La Liga's leaders will have something to say before that becomes a reality.

Read on for a preview of the Copa del Rey encounter, complete with all the necessary viewing information and fixture details.

      

Date: Thursday, January 11

Time: 8:30 p.m. GMT/3:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Live Stream: Sky Go app (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.) fuboTV (U.S.)

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports 11 (U.S.)

          

Preview

After clinching results against Spanish football's two mightiest institutions, confidence is sure to be sky-high for Celta Vigo manager Juan Carlos Unzue, despite the fact his side currently sit a disappointing 15th in La Liga.

League form may have been lacking, but one wouldn't have thought it during Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid, leading Goal's Ben Hayward to praise the team's embattled stance of late:

Gracenote Sports provided further context for Celta's achievement as they prepare to take on the Blaugrana for the second time in one week, albeit with slim hopes of tasting victory at the Camp Nou:

With the league campaign failing to produce and European qualification now a distant concept, the Copa del Rey could yet provide Celta with a spark to their season, however, something of which Unzue will be aware.

Their recent results haven't come by accident, though, as Squawka detailed their show of fight against Real on Sunday, where despite not recording as many shots on target, they did get a respectable hold of possession:

The likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele & Co. are all sure to be in contention to return to Barca's XI for Thursday evening, but £146 million signing Philippe Coutinho won't be vying for a place.

Goal's Robin Bairner reported an existing thigh complaint will keep Barca's January signing sidelined for three weeks, although the club showed he's already joining in on training with his new team-mates:

One would think Barca have the tools at their disposal to beat Celta to a Copa del Rey quarter-final without the Brazilian, and Valverde is sure to fancy his outfit's chances of moving ahead in the tournament.

Barca would advance if the second leg ends scoreless—by virtue of the away goal they scored at Balaidos last Thursday—although the return of certain attacking stars will seek to ensure they're not relying on those means.

from Bleacher Report - Front Page http://ift.tt/2ml9VCo