Giant Killers on Alert: Your Essential Guide to This Week’s Copa, Carabao, DFB-Pokal & FA Cup Action
The global football calendar is hitting overdrive! Forget the league grind for a moment, because this week is all about the unforgiving, one-shot-to-glory world of cup football. From Spain to Germany and across England, four major domestic tournaments kick off new rounds starting tomorrow.
Get ready for upsets, drama, and potentially iconic moments that will be talked about for years. Here is your must-read guide to the biggest matchups and potential banana skins from the Copa del Rey, Carabao Cup, DFB-Pokal, and FA Cup.
Spain: Copa del Rey – First Round
The Copa del Rey first round is where the dreams of tiny clubs from the lower divisions collide with the reality of Spain’s top flight. For the elite, it’s a tricky test of squad depth and focus; for the minnows, it’s a financial lifeline and a shot at football immortality.
The Giant-Killing Focus:
- Toledo vs. Sevilla FC: The fifth-tier side, Toledo, gets a date with the Europa League kings, Sevilla. This is a classic mismatch that will see the tiny Salto de Caballo Stadium rocking. Sevilla will need to be sharp, or this could become a historic embarrassment.
- UD Maracena vs. Valencia CF: A trip to Maracena offers a high-stakes fixture for the club from the Tercera División RFEF. Valencia knows from experience that taking any Copa tie lightly is a recipe for disaster.
- SD Negreira vs. Real Sociedad: A true amateur team hosting a Champions League-calibre side. This is what the cup is all about—a guaranteed night to remember for the home players, win or lose.
England: Carabao Cup – Fourth Round
The Carabao Cup narrows its field with the Premier League giants fully entrenched. This round guarantees some incredible top-tier clashes and continues the inspiring runs of a few lower-league heroes.
The Must-Watch Clashes:
- Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur: A guaranteed blockbuster. The current holders take on a revitalised Spurs side in a battle for bragging rights and a spot in the quarter-finals. Expect fireworks at St James’ Park.
- Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: Two clubs known for high-quality, attacking football. Even with rotation, this will be a fascinating tactical duel with both teams hungry for a deep cup run.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Chelsea: An all-Premier League affair where form can go out the window. Both teams will see this competition as a serious chance for silverware this season.
- Wrexham AFC vs. Cardiff City: The biggest Welsh Derby in years! Wrexham’s fairytale run continues, and hosting Championship side Cardiff is a massive opportunity for the Hollywood-backed club to cause an upset and reach the quarter-finals.
Germany: DFB-Pokal – Round of 32
The German Cup moves into its second round, and the fixtures have delivered some potential classics. Unlike the first round, the big boys are now starting to face more formidable opposition, including a few all-Bundesliga ties!
Clash of the Titans:
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Borussia Dortmund: The undisputed tie of the round. Two Bundesliga heavyweights meet in a knockout match. A win here could provide a massive psychological boost for the victor’s league campaign.
- FC Köln vs. FC Bayern Munich: The record champions head to Cologne for a tough road test. Bayern rarely slips up in the Pokal, but an away match against a motivated Bundesliga opponent always holds danger.
England: FA Cup – First Round Proper (Starts Friday)
The world’s oldest cup competition sees the clubs from League One and League Two enter the fray, hosting the non-league teams that have battled through the qualifying rounds. This is the heart of the “magic of the cup.”
Where to Find the Magic:
- Tamworth FC vs. Leyton Orient: Non-league Tamworth host League One opposition in a classic David vs. Goliath match-up.
- Buxton vs. Chatham Town & Slough Town vs. Altrincham: These ties will capture the pure, raw excitement of non-league football as lower-league sides fight to become the biggest story of the weekend.
Don’t miss a minute of the action! Keep the 365Scores app open for live scores, breaking news, and all the instant updates from this massive week of cup football. Will we see an iconic giant-killing? We’re about to find out!
