Barcelona are favourites to secure a place in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals ahead of the quarterfinal clash at the home of Granada tonight. The Copa Del Rey format has changed since last season from a two-legged format to a winner-takes-all one-leg clash due to the effects of the dreaded Coronavirus on the round leather game.

Barcelona will face a top flight team for the first time this season in the Copa Del Rey when they take on Granada but they can take solace from their league result in the same fixture. Some weeks ago, Barcelona thrashed Granada 4-0 away from home with a brace each from club skipper Lionel Messi and the in-form Antoine Griezmann.

Spanish giants Barcelona started this season’s Copa Del Rey in the last 32 and they went on to beat lower league opposition Cornella 2-0 away from home at the end of extra time. The two teams played a goalless draw at the end of ninety minutes before OusmaneDembele and Martin Braithwaite scored in extra time either side of the sending off of Cornella centre back Albert Fernandes after two yellow cards. Barcelona prosecuted the Cornella tie without Lionel Messi.

Messi returned to the Copa Del Rey squad for the round of 16 game at the home of Rayo Vallecano. Lionel Messi scored the equaliser after Fran Garcia scored for the hosts. Dutchman Frenkie De Jong scored the winning goal for Barcelona to claim a 2-1 win and qualify for the quarterfinals. All the goals came in the second half. Barcelona are the most successful team in the history of the Copa Del Rey in Spain after winning 30 titles and they are followed by Athletic Bilbao who have 23 titles. Athletic Bilbao are in the final of last season’s edition and they will face Basque rivals Real Sociedad in April. The Copa Del Rey final from last season was shifted to this season.