Barcelona face Real Betis while Real Madrid face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey round of 16 next week.
The Spanish giants got through their third round games against fourth division opponents last weekend without much fuss. Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Barbastro, with the only sticking point being the omission of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor during their lengthy contract crisis. Even the losing hosts had reason to celebrate when Israel Garcia proposed to his girlfriend after the game.
Real Madrid felt just as comfortable in their 5-0 win over Deportiva Minera as Carlo Ancelotti shuffled his team ahead of a busy festive schedule.
Atlético Madrid narrowly overtook Marbella in the preliminary round and will face another lower league opponent, Elche, next week.
Those responsible at the Spanish Football Association did not give their teams much time to prepare. Some clubs have less than a week to research their opponents ahead of the round of 16 matches, which take place next week on January 14th, 15th and 16th.
Barcelona and Real Madrid could both take part in the Spanish Supercopa final, which will be played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, January 12. The Clasico duo are already in the Middle East for the semi-finals against Athletic Club and Mallorca respectively.
As with all Copa del Rey matches before the semi-finals, the matches will be played in a single round. In a new development, VAR will be operational.