The Copa del Rey quarter-final match between Albacete Balompié and Barcelona will take place on 3 february at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium. Albacete Balompié vs Barcelona: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié is the only Segunda representative still competing in the national cup. In the previous round the home side produced the biggest upset of this season's competition: the team was considered a clear underdog against Real Madrid, but ultimately snatched victory over that high-profile opponent in a spectacular match at their own stands (3:2). Before that the side eliminated San Fernando, Leganés and Celta. Thanks to that impressive run the club has reached the Copa del Rey quarter-finals for the first time in the 21st century. The club's main achievement in this tournament remains reaching the semi-finals in the 1994/95 season.
- The club's last five Copa del Rey matches have been high-scoring.
- The side has conceded in 5 of its previous 6 matches in this competition.
- Albacete Balompié's scoring run in the national cup stands at 5 matches.
Potential Albacete Balompié Lineup (3-4-3)*
Diego Mariño – Carlos Neva, Jesús Vallejo, Javi Villar – Fran Gámez, Jonathan Gómez, Alejandro Meléndez, Antonio Pacheco – Víctor Valverde, Agus Medina, Jefte Betancor.
Barcelona
Barcelona, as the current Copa del Rey holders, intend to defend the title. During the current edition Barcelona have overcome two rounds, recording away wins over Guadalajara and Racing Santander by the same scoreline of 2:0. That is how the visitors advanced to the quarter-finals of the national cup for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons. During that period the club has won seven trophies, and overall Barcelona has been Copa del Rey champion 32 times – a tournament record.
- The club is unbeaten in the Copa del Rey for 8 matches (7 wins, 1 draw).
- Barcelona has kept a clean sheet in 5 consecutive away matches in this competition.
- Barcelona's away scoring streak in the national cup stands at 14 matches.
Potential Barcelona Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Joan García – Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Alejandro Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López – Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha – Ferran Torres.
Defender Andreas Christensen, as well as midfielders Pedri and Gavi, are unavailable due to injury.
Albacete Balompié vs Barcelona: Match Prediction
Albacete Balompié reasonably approaches the match as a pronounced underdog with very little chance of progressing. Nevertheless, during the current Copa del Rey season the team has already shown it can achieve spectacular feats. If the fairy tale ends, the club is unlikely to surrender without a fight. It is telling that in the last 27 Copa del Rey matches the home side has never lost by more than one goal. The home run without a defeat by a margin of 2 goals in this competition stretches back 15 matches.
Barcelona will again visit a club that is noticeably inferior in class. In both previous cup matches the visitors won 2:0, but the performances were far from convincing. For most of the time opponents kept the scoreboard at 0:0, and the club scored their second goal only at the very end. Notably, Barcelona has not won by a large margin in five Copa del Rey matches. Away from home the club has routed opponents in only 2 of their last 9 matches in this competition.
Prediction: Albacete Balompié (+2.5)
* For each team the starting lineup shown is from their previous match.
