Having suffered a 2-1 defeat at Mestalla in the first leg, Espanyol are in a good position to qualify for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

However, with Valencia unbeaten in last eight matches on all fronts, they will fancy their chances of qualifying for the next stage.

Espanyol are still not in the clear as far as La Liga relegation tussle is concerned, given that they sit mere six points above the bottom three at the moment.

Los Periquitos ended a two-match winning run in the league as they lost at home to Eibar, before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu at the weekend.

And while La Liga survival remains the priority, Espanyol have a good chance to reach the final stages of Copa del Rey, having showed a lot of promise in the 2-1 loss to Valencia.

And having won three straight home games before the setback against Eibar, los Periquitos can be backed at 3.30 (23/10) to win the return match.

Important midfielder Lucas Vazquez returns having been ineligible to face his parent club, and he will be back to the starting line-up.

There have been more good news for coach Sergio seeing as Salva Sevilla has recovered from illness and he, too, should be in contention.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Casilla – Arbilla, Colotto, Moreno, Fuentes – Vazquez, Sanchez, Canas, Sevilla – Stuani, Sergio Garcia.

Valencia are enjoying one of the best seasons in recent years, but los Che obviously cannot afford to relax just yet if they want to cheer at the end of the campaign.

With no European distractions, Nuno Espirito Santo’s charges were able to fully focus on domestic competitions, which has produced excellent results.

Midway through the league campaign, Valencia sit just outside the Champions League positions, and they did well to bring one point from Vigo after defeating leaders Real Madrid at Mestalla.

Meanwhile, los Che edged closer to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by defeating Espanyol in the first leg and they are 2.38 (11/8) to win the return match as well.

Boss Nuno is expected to make some changes to his starting line-up, although Carles Gil is unlikely to be in contention as he is set to join Aston Villa.

Jose Gaya returns from suspension, but Pablo Piatti misses out with a knee injury. Sofiane Feghouli is away on international duty.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Yoel – Cancelo, Vezo, Otamendi, Orban – Gomes, Fuego, Parejo, Gaya – Negredo, De Paul.