Orihuela—Villarreal Copa del Rey GAMETHREAD

So far in the Copa del Rey, results have mostly gone as expected. Osasuna had to come from behind to win 2-1 and Mallorca won 1-0, but the other Primera teams have had an easy time of it.

Villarreal hope to do well today at Orihuela. And they will be wearing their second kit, which we’ve not seen this year. So remember, if you are watching on TV, it’s the guys in green you’re supporting, not the yellow! (The match is on ESPN + in the USA, if you subscribe to that; otherwise, I don’t know about other options, but there is always Javi Mata on Radio Vila-real).

Our starting XI is: Andrés Fernandez in goal; Alberto Moreno, Albiol, Funes Mori, Mario Gaspar; Manu Morlanes, Trigueros, Santi Cazorla, Ontiveros, Samu Chukwueze and Carlos Bacca.

Pretty much what I would have expected, though maybe Trig and Santi together is a bit of a surprise. We’ll have to see how they actually line up.

Orihuela have Aitor in goal; Pina, Migue Marin, José Carlos, Rodri, Badal, Brian, Solano, Chechu, Pitu, and Pedro Inglés. (those are in number order; I believe Pitu is the only striker, with Nico and Cases on the bench, so I expect some kind of 4-2-3-1 or something similar)

Endavant Villarreal!!