Preview: Atletico Baleares vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

Celta Vigo head into Wednesday's Copa del Rey tie at Atletico Baleares looking to build on their recent upturn of results in La Liga.

While the visitors sit just below the mid-table positions in Spain's top flight, Atletico Baleares currently occupy fourth position in the third tier.

Match preview

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Although a slow start to the campaign has undermined Celta Vigo's efforts in La Liga this season, they still feel like a team who can compete with the best that Spain has to offer.

Real Betis do not necessarily fall into that bracket, despite their Champions League push, but Celta made it 10 points from a possible 15 with victory at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Sunday.

Both goals came from Iago Aspas, the veteran forward now scoring in four successive La Liga appearances and taking his tally for the season to 10.

Now sitting seven points above the relegation zone, Eduardo Coudet can afford to place a little extra focus on this competition as the club bid to make up for a succession of early exits in recent years.

Away victories have been recorded over Ebro and FC Andorra in previous rounds, extra time being required to beat the latter of the minnows by a 2-1 scoreline.

Atletico Baleares are further down the Spanish football pyramid, but they will still be dreaming big in the anticipation of pulling off another seismic shock in this competition.

Although they benefitted from Getafe being reduced to 10 men on 32 minutes, Baleares were ruthless as they took full advantage, putting five goals past the La Liga club without reply.

The result was not in keeping with their league performances before that tie, Baleares having suffered defeats to Sevilla's and Barcelona's second-string sides.

While promotion to the second tier remains the priority for this club, head coach Xavi Calm will be optimistic that they can go deeper in this tournament.

Team News

Having not made any substitutions until the 86th minute at the weekend, Coudet is expected to make several alterations to his Celta XI.

Jose Fontan, Gabriel Veiga and Nolito will be among the players who will hope to feature from the opening whistle.

Second-choice goalkeeper Ruben Blanco should also get a chance, but Aspas may drop to the substitutes' bench.

Barring any injuries, Calm will almost certainly select the same Atletico players who performed so well against Getafe before the Christmas break.

Manel Martinez has netted just once in the league this season, but his goal during that fixture may see him retain his spot in the final third.

Atletico Baleares possible starting lineup:
Ginard; Ferrone, Orfila, Vilarrasa; Canario, Cordero, Shashoua, Fran; Martinez, Ros, Dioni

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Blanco; Aidoo, Fontan, Dominguez, Galan; Mendez, Beltran, Veiga, Cervi; Nolito, Mina

We say: Atletico Baleares 0-3 Celta Vigo

The obvious gulf in class should result in an extra urgency in the home side's performance, something which may trouble their more illustrious visitors. Nevertheless, we can still only see a comfortable win for Vigo, regardless of whether they make widespread changes.

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