Lo Pagán welcomes Elche as UD Pinatar seek a Copa del Rey upset

UD Pinatar host Elche at the José Antonio Pérez stadium in Lo Pagán at 19:00 on Tuesday 27 October, in a Copa del Rey tie matching the Preferente Autonómica side against opponents from Spain’s top division.

The San Pedro del Pinatar team approach the fixture after beating Real Murcia C 2–1 on Saturday, when the visitors arrived as league leaders for that meeting between the two sides.

A comeback win provides encouragement

Francisco Madrid’s players, coached by the man known as Chute, came from behind in that match with goals from Hicham Khaloua and Alejandro Martínez, known as Kerru, before turning their attention to the cup.

Speaking after the victory, the coach praised his team’s ability to battle and retain their belief, saying the result brought encouragement and excitement ahead of the home match against Elche.

UD Pinatar sit eleventh in Preferente with eight points from five games, having recorded two wins, two draws and one defeat, with five goals scored and the same number conceded.

The club earned promotion last season as champions of Primera Autonómica and also won the regional Super Cup, before overcoming Atlético Melilla in the preliminary stage of the Copa del Rey.

Pinatar play in the sixth tier of Spanish football and are the lowest-ranked of the five teams representing the Region of Murcia in this edition of the cup competition.

Elche arrive in good form

Martín Anselmi’s side travel to Lo Pagán after a 3–0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas, a result that extended their unbeaten run in the league to four matches.

Elche have also kept three consecutive clean sheets and approach the tie with the possibility of giving playing time to squad members who have featured less frequently in the league.

The match will be played on the synthetic surface at the José Antonio Pérez, allowing UD Pinatar to contest this cup fixture at their own ground and in front of their home supporters.