Betting Tips: Cultural Leonesa vs Barcelona

A much changed Blaugrana head to the city of Leon in the Copa del Rey and we think there will be a slow start to the game on Wednesday evening

Winners of the Copa Del Rey in each of the last four seasons, Barcelona begin this year's campaign away to third tier Cultural Leonesa.

The Catalans visited the Estadio Reino de Leon in the competition back in 2009 earning a 2-0 victory and after Sunday's 5-1 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico, confidence will be high in the Blaugrana camp.

Barcelona are offered at just 1/10 (1.10) by bet365 to win the game with their opponents priced at 20/1 (21.00) and the draw available at 17/2 (9.50).

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Ernesto Valverde will rest almost his entire first eleven with the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba all staying in Barcelona.

Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti remain injured, so we could see squad players like Denis Suarez, Munir and summer signing Malcom feature.

Last season at this stage of the competition Barcelona managed a 3-0 win away at Real Murcia, having recorded draws in the previous two years in their opening matches of the CopadDel Rey.

The first goal in that win last year came just on the stroke of half-time and there is every chance that it might take Barca a while to get into their stride.

Wednesday's starting eleven is likely to feature a number of youthful and inexperienced players and while the talent of the likes of Ousmane Demebele and Arturo Vidal should see the Catalans through, it might be a wise to oppose early goals once more.

Under 1.5 goals in the first half is priced at 5/6 (1.83), but perhaps more appealing at the same price is opposing a goal before 21 minutes.

The bet has paid out in each of Barcelona's last three first leg ties in the round of 32 of the Copa Del Rey and looks like an intelligent bet for Wednesday's game in the city of Leon.

Prices correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.