Barcelona to face Espanyol in Spanish cup's quarters

Defending champion Barcelona are scheduled to play against their cross-town rival Espanyol in the Spanish Cup football quarter-finals, which are also to feature Real Madrid against Leganes, Atletico Madrid versus Sevilla and Valencia facing Alaves, according to the draw.

For the first leg, Barcelona is set to visit Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, where Barça has not been defeated since the 2006-07 season, reports Efe.

In the Spanish Cup, both teams have faced each other twice in the past 10 years, with Barça prevailing in both.

Espanyol has not won against Barcelona in a competitive match since 2009.

Leganes, meanwhile, is set to play against the Blancos for the third time in Spanish Cup history, with the latter winning both earlier games.

Valencia will play Alaves for the second time at the cup, aiming for a second win at the cost of the 2017 finalist.

With four cup wins apiece, Atletico Madrid is set to face Sevilla.

The first round of matches is scheduled for January 16-18 and the second round is to be played a week later.