Preview: Albacete vs FC Barcelona Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Copa del Rey 2025-26
This quarter-final Copa del Rey clash will take place at Estadio Carlos Belmonte in Albacete, Spain.
Albacete Balompié are getting ready to host the heavyweights, FC Barcelona, at the Carlos Belmonte stadium this Tuesday, February 3. They are meeting for a high-stakes Copa del Rey quarter-final.
This match comes after some incredible play from the home side lately. That run includes a famous 3-2 win where they knocked Real Madrid out in the last round.
Alberto González has built real grit into this squad. Right now, the team are leaning on Jefté Betancor’s knack for finding the net and the veteran presence of defenders like Jesús Vallejo.
So, the local fans are looking for a real fight. Their team is trying to make it to the semi-finals for the first time in decades.
On the other side, Hansi Flick isn’t slowing down with his Barcelona team. They just beat Elche 3-1 to stay at the top of LaLiga.
Lamine Yamal is still the main creative spark alongside Ferran Torres. Plus, Marcus Rashford’s recent form gives them plenty of dangerous options up front.
All the same, the visitors want to make sure they don’t take things too lightly against a lower-tier team. This Albacete side have already shown they can take down the big names.
Kick-off:
- Location: Albacete, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio Carlos Belmonte
- Date: Wednesday, February 4
- Kick-off Time: 01:30 a.m. IST
- Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz
- VAR: In Use
Form:
Albacete: W-W-W-W-D
FC Barcelona: W-W-W-W-L
Players to watch out for:
Jefté Betancor Sánchez (Albacete)
Albacete rely heavily on Betancor. He’s been in great form, picking up a 7.75 average rating across four matches in the Cup. So far, he has netted four goals despite an Expected Goals (xG) of only 0.98.
That really highlights how clinical his finishing is right now. He also has an assist to his name.
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
For Barcelona, Lamine Yamal is still the standout player. Sitting on a massive 8.56 average rating from just the two matches he’s played in the Cup, he has chipped in with a goal and an assist. With an Expected Goals (xG) of 0.84, it’s clear just how much Yamal is running things in the final third.
Match Facts:
- Jefté Betancor has averaged a goal every game in this season’s Copa del Rey.
- The most striking statistical disparity lies in the possession figures, where Barcelona command an overwhelming 79% average across their cup fixtures compared to Albacete’s modest 31%.
- Hansi Flick’s side combine this dominance with a clinical 91% pass completion rate, which suffocates opponents and limits their time on the ball to mere fragments. Conversely, the hosts operate with a 74% passing accuracy.
Albacete vs FC Barcelona Betting Tips and Odds:
- Barcelona to Win & Over 2.5 Goals: 1.83 as per Bet365.
- Both Teams To Score – Yes: 2.10 as per William Hill.
- Jefté Betancor to be Anytime Goalscorer – 4.50 as per Betfair.
Injuries and Team News:
Unavailable players for Albacete: Higinio Marin (injury).
Unavailable players for Barcelona: Andreas Christensen (injury), Gavi (injury), and Pedri (injury).
Head-To-Head stats:
- Total matches: 14
- Albacete won: 1
- FC Barcelona won: 9
- Draws: 4
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Albacete Predicted Starting Lineup (4-3-3):
Marino; Gámez, Vallejo, Nava, Gómez; Meléndez, Villar, Pacheco; Valverde, Betancor, Medina
FC Barcelona Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
García; Eric, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Olmo, De Jong, López; Yamal, Ferran, Rashford.
Match Prediction:
Hansi Flick’s dominant Barcelona squad will likely end Albacete’s fairytale run. This is because the LaLiga leaders’ talent far exceeds what a second-division defence can handle for a full ninety minutes.
Jefté Betancor is a threat to score given his recent efficiency. However, the visitors have enough firepower to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Carlos Belmonte.
Prediction: Albacete 1-3 FC Barcelona.
Telecast Details
India: FanCode
UK: Premier Sports
Spain: RTVE
USA: ESPN+
Will there be a return leg played at Barcelona’s home ground?
No, the Copa del Rey quarter-finals operate as a single-leg knockout tie, meaning the winner on Tuesday night advances directly to the semi-finals.
When did these two clubs last face each other in a competitive fixture?
These sides have not met since May 2005, when Barcelona secured a 2-0 LaLiga victory before a hiatus of over 20 years.
Who has been appointed to referee the match at the Carlos Belmonte?
The Spanish Federation has assigned Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz to officiate the game, following his recent oversight of Barcelona’s league win against Elche.
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