YV
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
PONFERRADINA  Quintana Malo, Alcaide, Samuel, Dani Carril Acoran, Baro, Ruiz, Jonathan Yuri, Mayor | REAL MADRID  Adan Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo Altintop, Sahin Callejon, Kaka, Granero Higuain |
The Clasico match will certainly have been emotionally and physically taxing for the Real Madrid players on Saturday, so Jose Mourinho will likely give his fringe players a chance to impress in the Copa del Rey against Ponferradina, who compete in Spanish Segunda B Group 2.
Antonio Adan will be given a start for Madrid in goal, with Rafael Varane and Raul Albiol coming in at centre back. Arbeloa may be given a run out at right back after just returning from injury.
Hamit Altintop did not begin the Clasico so he will start in midfield and will likely be partnered by Nuri Sahin in the Madrid engine room. Jose Callejon will start on the right, with Kaka and Esteban Granero making up the attacking midfield three.
Gonzalo Higuain had to settle for a place on the bench against Barcelona so he will start up top in the lone striker role.
Ponferradina are the definite underdogs going into the match, but they will be looking to star player Yuri to help his side achieve an upset.
| DID YOU KNOW |
This is the first time in history that Ponferradina have played Real Madrid.
- Ponferradina are currently second in Spanish Segunda B Group 2, with 31 points taken from 17 games.
- Brazilian striker Yuri is Ponferradina's top goalscorer so far this season, with five goals.
- This is Real Madrid's first Copa del Rey match since defeating Barcelona in the final last season. Ponferradina have already played three matches in the cup so far.
- Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey in the 2010/2011 season, the first time they had achieved this since the 92/93 campaign, in which they defeated Real Zaragoza in the final.
- Madrid's arch rivals Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone, with 25 titles.
This is Ponferradina's Copa del Rey final as they welcome Jose Mourinho's 'galacticos' to El Toralin. The locals with surely be raring to go in this match and are sure to give everything against the might of Los Blancos. However, even a second string Real Madrid side has more than enough quality and class to dispatch the Segunda B side comfortably. Madrid's squad is arguably the best in the world and with fringe players eager to impress the Portuguese coach, it will be a long night for Ponferradina.
Editor's Prediction
Ponferradina 0-5 Real Madrid 
