Octopus Iker picks Real Madrid to win Copa del Rey final

China.org.cn, April 20, 2011

Iker the Octopus has picked Real Madrid to beat Barcelona on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey final.

The 35-pound Pacific Ocean octopus named after Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas correctly predicted a draw in the first of four matches between the teams. Now, he's out to prove his first pick was no fluke.

Iker chose Madrid on Tuesday by snatching a sardine from the tube covered with the team's logo.

Iker floated passively for 15 minutes without selecting a sardine from either team's tube on Friday, a day before Madrid rallied to a 1-1 draw in a Spanish league match.

Tactical dilemma

Jose Mourinho must resolve a tactical dilemma when he attempts to land his first piece of silverware as Real Madrid coach in tonight's Copa Del Rey final against Barcelona at Valencia's Mestalla stadium.

Mourinho's decision to convert Pepe from center-back into muscular midfield destroyer with two other holding midfielders was his major tactical change on Saturday and the player he sacrificed was Mesut Ozil. The stylish German, however, turned the game with his darting runs and clever passes when he came on as a late substitute and Mourinho is likely to include him tonight, perhaps at the expense of a recognized No. 9.

Defender Raul Albiol is suspended after his red card at the weekend which may mean Sergio Ramos moves across into the center alongside Ricardo Carvalho.