The Copa del Rey round-of-16 match between Racing de Santander and Barcelona will take place on 15 January at the El Sardinero. Racing de Santander vs Barcelona: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander, who top the Segunda Division standings, have already produced a major shock in the current Copa del Rey campaign. After victories over SD Logrones and Ponferradina in the early rounds, the home team unexpectedly knocked out Villarreal — one of the current La Liga leaders. That result sent the hosts into the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years; previously, in the 2013/14 season, their cup run ended only at the quarter-final stage. Overall, the club’s best achievement in this tournament remains reaching the semi-finals in 2008 and 2010.
- Racing de Santander’s scoring run in the national cup stands at seven matches.
- The club have not lost in normal time in five of their last six matches in this tournament (four wins, one draw).
- The team have conceded in 10 of their last 12 Copa del Rey games.
Potential Racing de Santander Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Jokin Ezkieta – Alvaro Mantilla, Javier Castro, Facundo Gonzalez, Jorge Salinas – Maguette Gueye, Gustavo Puerta – Peio Canales, Inigo Vicente, Marco Sangalli – Andres Martin.
Defender Clement Michelin, midfielder Sergio Martinez, and forwards Juan Carlos Arana and Asier Villalibre are injured.
Barcelona
Barcelona are the reigning holders of the trophy. Their new run in this competition began in the previous round, when the away side overcame Guadalajara (2:0) without it being straightforward. After that trip, the unbeaten run of Hansi Flick’s men in the Copa del Rey reached seven matches. If we look strictly at normal time, the team have recorded five wins and two draws during that spell. It is worth noting that Barcelona are the most decorated club in Copa del Rey history, having lifted the trophy 32 times. Last year, in the final, the club beat Real Madrid after extra time (3:2).
- Barcelona have scored in 10 straight matches in the national cup.
- At least two goals have been scored in 10 of the club’s last 11 matches in this tournament.
- The team have kept a clean sheet in four consecutive away games in the Copa del Rey.
Potential Barcelona Lineup (4-3-3)*
Joan Garcia – Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alex Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias, Robert Lewandowski.
Defender Andreas Christensen and midfielder Gavi are unavailable due to injury. The club’s squad has been strengthened by the arrival of defender Joao Cancelo.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
Matches – 7 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 31;
Yellow cards per match (average) – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match (average) – 28;
Penalties – 43%.
Racing de Santander vs Barcelona: Match Prediction
Racing de Santander are rightly considered clear underdogs, but in the previous round of the cup the club, in a similar position, surprised everyone with a win over Villarreal, who are among the La Liga leaders. In their last six matches in this tournament, the team have suffered only one defeat, losing to Celta Vigo after conceding twice late on. In the Copa del Rey, Racing de Santander traditionally try to battle even in difficult matches, and the last time they lost by a margin of two goals or more was back in 2018.
Barcelona are the reigning holders of the national cup and are now aiming to defend the title — as they have just done in the Spanish Super Cup. However, in the round of 32, the visitors had to work hard against Guadalajara, beating modest opposition 2:0. Notably, the club have now gone four straight Copa del Rey matches without recording a big win. Across their last 13 games in this tournament, Barcelona have thrashed an opponent on only three occasions.
Most likely, the clear difference in class will not prevent the hosts from offering at least some resistance.
Prediction: Racing de Santander (+2.5)
* For each team, the starting XI is taken from its previous match.
