Albacete vs Barcelona predictions and betting tips – Blaugrana with eyes on prize

Barcelona are the clear favourites to win the Copa del Rey this season, but it is important that they do not get ahead of themselves. Their next assignment in the competition comes on Tuesday against Albacete.

Can the second-tier side cause a huge upset in this one, or will Barcelona prove too strong as they seek a place in the next round?

• Barcelona to win to nil – 11/10 with QuinnBet
• Barcelona to win both halves – 21/20 with Betfred
• Marcus Rashford to score any time – 5/6 with SBK

Albacete vs Barcelona odds

Find the latest Albacete vs Barcelona betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Albacete vs Barcelona predictions

It is easy to assume that Barcelona and Real Madrid have dominated the Copa del Rey in recent times, but that is not really the case.

Madrid’s recent record in this competition is mediocre, with just one triumph in the last 11 years. Barcelona have fared better over that period, but they have still only lifted the trophy twice in their last seven attempts.

Valencia, Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao have all had success in this competition since 2019. That can only be a good thing for the Spanish game.

Having said all that, Barcelona’s chances of going all the way this year were undoubtedly boosted when Madrid suffered a shock defeat in the last round.

Alvaro Arbeola’s first game in charge was an embarrassing event for the Blancos, who suffered a 3-2 loss to Albacete of the Segunda Division.

Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Real Betis are among those with designs on the trophy, but right now the Copa del Rey looks like it is Barcelona’s to lose.

Hansi Flick’s side head into Tuesday’s quarter-final in fine form. They beat Elche 3-1 at the weekend to maintain their grip on top spot in La Liga. 

Barca have won 11 of their last 12 matches in Spain’s top flight, a run which has lifted them above Madrid and doubtless played a part in Xabi Alonso’s sacking from his position at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Last week saw Flick’s men book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, as Barcelona came from behind to beat Copenhagen 4-1.

There have been a few whispers of late about a potential treble. Barcelona are the only Spanish side to have won La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in the same season, having done so under Pep Guardiola in 2009 and Luis Enrique in 2015.

It will not be easy. There are several other strong teams also gunning for glory in the Champions League, while despite their struggles over the last few months, we cannot definitively rule Madrid out of the title race just yet.

The Copa del Rey is the least prestigious of those three prizes, but it is one that Barcelona will still be keen to win. Three more victories would bring them the trophy, starting with Tuesday’s trip to Albacete.

Albacete vs Barcelona betting tips

Barcelona return to action in the Copa del Rey against Albacete this week.

Barcelona clean sheet?

Albacete were fantastic against Real Madrid. They did not have much of the ball, but they were effective with it. 

Jefte Betancor’s winner in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time sent the home crowd into raptures, and Albacete supporters will be hoping for more of the same when Spanish football’s other giants come to town this week.

It is worth remembering, though, that Albacete are a mid-table team in the second tier – and Barcelona are one of the best sides in Europe right now.

Even if Flick shuffles his pack for the visit to the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Barca should have enough to hold Albacete at arm’s length.

Back Barcelona to win to nil at 11/10 with QuinnBet

Albacete will struggle

Barcelona will want to make this game as stress-free as possible.  That means making a quick start and establishing a lead early on.

Even when one side is clearly superior, it is not easy to win both halves of a football match.

Barcelona could be 3-0 up at half-time and then decide to ease off. Alternatively, they could be frustrated in the opening period before coming on strong after the interval.

But despite Albacete’s heroics against Real Madrid, they are likely to struggle in this match. Barcelona should dominate proceedings here.

Tip Barcelona to win both halves at 21/20 with Betfred

Chance for Rashford 

Flick made changes to his team for the game against Racing Santander in the last round and he is likely to do the same here.

It will not be an entirely second-string XI, but a few fringe players will probably be given a chance from the first whistle.

If he is one of them, Marcus Rashford will be particularly keen to make a positive impression. The England international has found meaningful minutes hard to come by of late, so it is important that he makes the most of any starts he is given.

Rashford scored in the second half against Elche on Saturday and we reckon he will make the net bulge here too.

Choose Marcus Rashford to score any time at 5/6 with SBK

Albacete vs Barcelona predicted lineups

• Albacete expected lineup: Raul Lizoain; Aguado, Moreno, Neva, Gomez; Capi, Pacheco, Villar, Melendez; Betancor, Medina.
• Barcelona expected lineup: Garcia; Balde, Garcia, Cubarsi, Kounde; Lopez, Bernal, Olmo; Rashford, Torres, Yamal.

Where to watch Albacete vs Barcelona

• Location: Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Albacete, Spain.
• Date and time: Tuesday 3rd February, 8pm.
• How to watch: Premier Sports 1.

More Copa del Rey predictions

We have plenty more Copa del Rey predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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