Aguirre confident at home

6 January 2009-PA Sport

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre awaits Barca's visit (Getty)

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre insists his side will be favourites in their Copa del Rey match against Barcelona, despite being humiliated 6-1 at the hands of the Catalan giants in October.

The sides meet at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

Barca have won the trophy a record 24 times and are in stunning form, currently leading the Primera Liga table by 11 points, but Aguirre believes his team will emerge triumphant.

"We are favourites as we are playing at home," he said. "In the league, Barca are superior to most teams, but in the cup we are all equal and there are no superior teams.

"You don't forget the past and the 6-1 loss in the Nou Camp this season either. That result is an extra motivation to do well.

"We are aware we need to be at 100%. You can't give away anything to Barcelona."

Both sides have rung the changes for this match, with Aguirre resting star striker Sergio Aguero, who will be on the bench.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will essentially be taking a second string to Madrid, with Carles Puyol, Alexander Hleb and Rafa Marquez injured, and Victor Valdes, Xavi Hernandez, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Samuel Eto'o left behind in Barcelona.

Nevertheless, goalkeeper Valdes insists the Catalan giants, who last lifted the trophy in 1998, are not devaluing the competition.

"Whoever plays will do so with great desire and excitement to win this title," he said.

"We give a lot of importance to the cup as it is a competition we have not won for many years."

On Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) all eyes will be on giant killers Real Union, who will be looking to claim another Primera Liga scalp in Real Betis, having already eliminated two-time reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid.

Fellow third division side Polideportivo Ejido will have an extra motivation in their tie against Espanyol, knowing the reward for the winner is a quarter-final place against either Atletico or Barca.

Three all-Primera Liga ties also take place on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), with defending champions Valencia travelling to Racing Santander, Sevilla hosting Deportivo la Coruna and Sporting Gijon set to welcome Valladolid.

The first-leg matches will be completed on Thursday (Friday AEDT) with Osasuna hosting Athletic Bilbao and Almeria travelling to Real Mallorca.

The return fixtures will take place on January 14 and 15.