Copa del Rey Quarterfinals: Favorites to advance to the next round

The Spanish Cup returns this mid-week after a customary round of league matches over the weekend. Promising victories involving the top three -- Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia -- provide a strong foundation for the sides in the upcoming round. Real Madrid, on the other hand, were beaten once again, this time by Villarreal.

With participation from all the top four La Liga sides, the quarterfinals round are set to offer some mouthwatering clashes. Cup competitions are traditionally known for over-performing midtable teams, a fact Leganes and Espanyol would rely upon.

The quarterfinal round starts this Wednesday with Atletico Madrid hosting an out-of-form Sevilla to play at the Wanda while Valencia host under-performing Alaves. Barcelona face Espanyol in what is set to be the first of three Catalan derbies in under a month, while Real Madrid will try to get back on winning ways against a solid Leganes. The quarterfinals will be played over two legs.

Let's take a look at the favourites to qualify from each of the respective quarterfinal clashes:

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#1 Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla

Sevilla was hammered 5-0 by Real Madrid last month at the Bernabeu

Trailing nine points behind runaway league leaders Barcelona, the team from the Spanish capital face Sevilla in what is set to be, at least on paper, the most intriguing match in the round. However, to Sevilla's frustration, the match couldn't have been scheduled at a worse possible time.

The Andalusians have managed to win only two matches out of their last eight in all competitions, including an embarrassing defeat at the Bernabeu and a defeat in the derby against Betis.

Atletico, on the other hand, has lost just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, a narrow 1-0 defeat at Espanyol. Moreover, Atletico's defensive solidarity would be a challenge for an uninspired Seville team, as the Madrid team have with the best defensive record in Spain, conceding just eight goals in the first half of the Spanish league.

Last Meeting: Atletico Madrid 2 - 0 Sevilla [Spanish League, 23 September 2017]

Manager Head to Head: Diego Simeone 1 - 0 Vincenzo Montella

Author's Take: Atletico Madrid are the favourites to advance to the final four.

#2 Valencia vs Alaves

Espanyol v Valencia - La Liga

Third place in the Spanish league, Valencia are in a promising run of form and clear favourites to defeat Alaves in the quarterfinal of this year's Spanish Cup. Deportivo Alaves started the 2017/18 season on a low after making it to final of last year's Cup, eventually losing to Barcelona. The newcomers in the Spanish league currently sit 17th, just out of the relegation zone owing to a recent revival in form and shock midweek victory over Sevilla.

Lead by Ibai Gomez and Barcelona loanee Munir El-Haddadi, Alaves would be keen to improve their performances and shock Valencia, but the latter's attacking prowess is set to pose a chain of problems and threats to a struggling Alaves defence. Alaves also have a very packed list of fixtures, facing Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Valencia in the coming 30 days.

Last Meeting: Alaves 1 - 2 Valencia [Spanish League, 28 October 2017]

Manager Head to Head: Marcelino 1 - 1 Abelardo

Author's Take: Valencia are favourites to tread their way into the semifinals.

#3 Espanyol vs Barcelona

Barcelona ended their Anoeta Curse in an eerie atmosphere

In-form league leaders Barcelona travel to the RCDE stadium to face local rivals Espanyol. Barcelona, unarguably, are the clear favourites to come out on top but a hostile environment at the home of Espanyol could play a part. They will also be without summer signing Ousmane Dembele. Andres Iniesta's muscle strain adds him to the extensive list of sidelined Barcelona players.

The only unbeaten team in Europe's Top 5 leagues, Barcelona are eyeing to be The Invincibles this season under new manager Ernesto Valverde and are set to mount a herculean challenge in front of the Espanyol defence. Ruthless on the attack, dominating in the midfield and stubborn at the back, everything seems to be going perfectly well for Ernesto Valverde's men.

Espanyol are currently 14th position in the Spanish league table with 24 points under their belt. Barcelona will be keen to continue their unbeaten streak of 29 matches past their trip to Espanyol.

Last Meeting: Barcelona 5 - 0 Espanyol [Spanish League, 10 September 2017]

Manager Head to Head: Quique Flores 3 - 5 Ernesto Valverde

Author's Take: FC Barcelona are clear favourites to win the Copa del Rey crown and defeating Espanyol wouldn't be too demanding for Valverde's men.

#4 Leganes vs Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to score just four goals in the Spanish League this season

Nothing seems to be going right for under-fire manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane who saw his team drop another three points at the Bernabeu in the weekend against a resolute Villarreal side. Surprisingly, Real Madrid find themselves closer to relegation than to the top of the standings.

With La Liga slipping away and a tough tie against PSG in the Champions League, the Copa del Rey seems like the only realistic trophy the current Real Madrid side can win in the coming months. While Madrid haven't been at their best in front of the goal and letting in goals too easily, Leganes has been solid on the back but inconsistent in front of the goal, scoring just 13 teams in over 17 league matches this season.

After a promising start to the season, Leganes have, unfortunately, slipped down the table, losing four of their last ten games in all competitions, and drawing one against Levante.

Publically expressing the mutual understanding of faith between him and his squad, all eyes will be on Zinedine Zidane and speculations would certainly be made regarding his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Last Meeting: Leganes 2 - 4 Real Madrid [Spanish League, 06 April 2017]

Manager Head to Head: Asier Garitano 0 - 2 Zinedine Zidane

Author's Take: Regardless of their recent shortcomings, Los Blancos are the favourites.