Alaves – Real Sociedad

Neighborly quarrel in the Basque Country?

Copa del Rey quarter-finals, Basque neighbours and everything to play for – this is set to be a nerve-wracking match. Alavés and Real Sociedad know each other well, and neither will give anything away for free. Both teams are smelling a semi-final spot, so expect tight play and high intensity from the first kick. There will be no tapas served here; this will be blood, sweat and tears for 90 minutes (at least).

Alavés – Must protect the fort

The home team thrives on their own turf and has made Mendizorrotza a fortress. Eduardo Coudet has gotten used to the defensive side – Alavés barely concedes goals at home. They stand firm in the frame with a disciplined 4-4-2, are compact and throw themselves into the tackles. Physical play? Yes, thank you. Offensively, it's all about quick transitions and efficiency in front of goal. Two strikers lurk at the top and only need half a chance to strike. The challenge? Stability in scoring. Alavés can go from brilliant to toothless offensively from match to match. Still, they will try to slow down the tempo, annoy the visitors with small fouls and live on the one counterattack or set piece that can tip everything in their favor.

Real Sociedad – Can they tear down the wall?

Real Sociedad come with the stamp of the favourites – and the pressure – on them. This is the team with the bigger names and the finer technique, but they have to show it on the pitch here. Under Matarazzo, La Real usually play fast, precise and via the wings. The width is used to the maximum, which can mean a few corners when they paint. However, there is a lack of creative spark now that a couple of the most creative players are out. We saw that in this weekend's 1-1 derby against Athletic – Sociedad struggled to break through at times. They are strong anyway: five games in a row without defeat is evidence of a team that refuses to give up. They score goals almost every time, but behind the goal it is rubbish. Zero behind the goal? Forget it. Real Sociedad have not kept a clean sheet for weeks, and defensive lapses creep in even in matches they dominate. The plan here will probably be to control the ball, run their game and press Alavés at the back – but at the same time avoid the dangerous counterattacks.

Conclusion – Slow start, but it's coming

When you mix Alavés' strong home discipline with Real Sociedad's quality (and backroom problems), you get a witch's cauldron of a cup match. No one is going to cruise into a victory here. Alavés will make it tight and uncomfortable, Real Sociedad will try to roll their way through – and both will smell the final in their nostrils. This has long smelled of goallessness, but Real Sociedad's leaky defense and Alavés' home-field toughness mean that we will soon see both teams on the scoreboard. One goal for each team seems to be in the cards; neither will give up until they have responded. At the same time, there are unlikely to be any goal fireworks beyond that – no one can afford to throw everyone into the attack and expose themselves backwards. The referee should prepare for a busy evening with the deck of cards, because tempers are going to boil over. Everything points to one thing.

Copa del Rey at 21:00: Alaves - Real Sociedad: Over 1.5 goals (1.52)