MADRID, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The second round of the Copa del Rey knockout competition kicks off on Tuesday with four teams from the Spanish top-flight in action.

Las Palmas visits the Barcelona neighborhood of Gracia to play the historic club CD Europa, which was founded 117 years ago.

Europa currently plays in the RFEF II, which is the fourth tier of the Spanish game, and an in-form Las Palmas is favorite to progress to the third round, especially after their weekend win away to city giants FC Barcelona.

Valladolid is without a first team coach for its short trip to play Real Avila after Pablo Pezzolano was sacked in the wake of Saturday's 5-0 thrashing at home to Atletico Madrid.

B-team coach Alvaro Rubio will be in the Valladolid dugout for a game which is close to being a derby and an Avila side pushing for promotion from its group may fancy its chances of an upset, against a rival that has other aims in mind for the season.

Espanyol claimed a big win in La Liga at the weekend as it defeated Celta Vigo 3-1 and now has to play RFEF II side, Barbastro, who last season pushed FC Barcelona to the limit in the third round of the tournament.

One of Espanyol's biggest problems will be the cold in a town situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain range.

Celta travels to play UD Salamanca (one of two clubs from the city) and another rival from the RFEF II. Once again the side from La Liga is the favorite, but will has to be careful if coach Claudio Giraldez introduces too many rotations into his regular starting 11.

The second round is again without the presence of Cup winners Athletic Club Bilbao and beaten finalist, Mallorca, or La Liga champion, Real Madrid and runner-up Barcelona.

The four teams who will play the Spanish Supercup in early January, will use this week to play the La Liga games that were due to be played that weekend, with Athletic entertaining Real Madrid and Mallorca at home to Barca. Enditem

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