Barcelona right-back Dani Alves says his side always relish the prospect of locking horns with arch-rivals Real Madrid, as the two clubs prepare to do battle in the Copa del Rey.

GettyImagesDani Alves is accustomed to meeting Real Madrid after seven meetings in nine months

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Wednesday's quarter-final first-leg at the Bernabeu will be Barca and Real's eighth meeting in just nine months, with the previous outcomes three wins for the Catalans, one for Los Blancos and three draws.

But despite Barca appearing to have the edge over the current Primera Division leaders, Alves is expecting an even contest.

"We really enjoy playing against Real Madrid," Alves told Barca TV. "There is always a certain balance between the two teams when we meet, regardless of the form in previous weeks."

"We meet again, and that's only normal. Big teams that fight for the same trophies will meet more than once per season. We will be well prepared and then we'll see what happens.

"I have already featured in plenty of games like this and the overall balance is positive."