Our Picks: Old English rivals lock horns once again in the FA Cup
Take a look at the matches we think are worth keeping tabs on this weekend:
Sunderland v Newcastle - Ali Pollock
The magic of the FA Cup has struck once again, pitting arch-rivals Sunderland and Newcastle against each other for the first time – in any competition – in nearly eight years.
The Black Cats have dominated the derby in recent history, winning six and drawing three of the last nine encounters.
You have to go all the way back to 2011 to find the last time Newcastle were victorious.
Since their last match in 2016, both sides have been relegated (Sunderland twice), both have been promoted and both have changed ownership.
The landscape is vastly different this time around, with the Magpies now the richest football club on the planet and Sunderland adopting a ‘Moneyball’ approach to proceedings.
That all goes out the window in a derby, though, and Saturday afternoon’s fixture will be one of the biggest of the weekend.
Newcastle have won just once away from home all season, while Sunderland have been inconsistent in their own performances – something which new manager Michael Beale hopes to change.
Jack Clarke has been the Black Cats’ main man throughout the current campaign, netting 12 goals in the Championship.For the Magpies, Alexander Isak sticks out among their array of talent.
Keep an eye on a potential midfield battle between Sunderland’s Dan Neil and Newcastle’s Lewis Miley as well, with both players coming through their respective academies to become important members of the first team squads.
Arandina v Real Madrid - Anthony Paphitis
Real Madrid are the third most successful club in Copa del Rey history, but they will be looking to avoid a gargantuan upset when they travel to fourth-tier Arandina on Saturday night.
Arandina are one of two fourth-tier sides still remaining in the competition and while that in itself is a great feat, the fact they are in a position to reach the last 16 given their form this season is even greater.
Alex Izquierdo's team currently sit bottom of Group 1 in the Segunda Federacion with just two wins in 16 games and are at real risk of being relegated to the fifth tier.
Still, Arandina have persevered to record their best-ever progression in the Copa del Rey having earned wins against Real Murcia and one top-tier scalp against Cadiz in round two.
They will be looking to add another one - and a big one at that - when Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid make the journey to the 6,000-capacity Estadio El Montecillo.
As expected, Los Blancos are huge favourites to win the tie and that is no surprise given the gulf between both sides.
Real have been in searing league form of late and have managed to leapfrog surprise title contenders Girona to top La Liga, albeit on goal difference.
It's a busy time for Ancelotti's side given they play in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia after taking on Arandina.
So while they are the current holders, the Copa del Rey may not be an instant priority.
With wholesale changes expected, one would think Real will have too much firepower for Arandina to handle, but it is still a time for the minnows to enjoy the fixture after the work they put in to set it up.
Olympiacos v AEK Athens - Ste Carson
Derbies in Greece don't come much bigger than Olympiacos of Piraeus and AEK Athens, two of the country's most successful and famous clubs.
Hot on the tails of PAOK and bitter rivals Panathinaikos in the Super League, both sides will be desperate to claw points away from the other while aiding their own title charge.
Sadly, there will be no supporters present at the 33,296-capacity Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium because of potential public security concerns.
Olympiacos have a number of goal-threats in their attacking arsenal, including Ayoub El Kaabi, Konstantinos Fortounis and Daniel Podence.
A total of 23 goal contributions have between totted up by the Thrylos trio this term. Stevan Jovetic could also be handed a chance to further establish himself.
AEK players, on the other hand, spread the goals throughout their team a little more thinly. Levi Garcia, with six goal contributions, is leading goalscorer for the Énosi (with five).
Midfielder Steven Zuber is another key danger man for AEK, with four goals and six assists to his name so far this season.
Points dropped by Olympiacos in disappointing results against Lamia and Atromitos may offer AEK, who are in a fine run of form, some extra confidence.
