The Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie between Racing Santander and Barcelona will take place on 15 January at the El Sardinero. Racing Santander vs Barcelona: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Racing Santander
Racing Santander, who currently top the Segunda Division standings, have already produced a major upset in this season’s cup run. After beating SD Logrones and Ponferradina in the early rounds, the home team surprisingly knocked out Villarreal — one of the current La Liga front-runners. That win sent the club into the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years, having last reached this stage in 2013/14 when their journey ended only at the quarter-final stage. Overall, their best achievement in this competition remains reaching the semi-finals in 2008 and 2010.
- Racing 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 games in the Copa del Rey.
Potential Racing Santander Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Joaquin 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 cup holders. Their new run in this competition began in the previous round, when the away team edged past Guadalajara (2:0) without it being entirely straightforward. Following that trip, Hansi Flick’s side extended their unbeaten run in the Copa del Rey to seven matches. If we look strictly at 90 minutes, they have recorded five wins and two draws during that spell. It is also worth noting that Barcelona are the most successful club in Copa del Rey history, having lifted the trophy 32 times. Last year, they beat Real Madrid after extra time in the final (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 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 yellows) – 31;
Yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 43%.
Racing Santander vs Barcelona: Match Prediction
Racing Santander are rightly viewed as clear underdogs, but in the previous round of the Copa del Rey the club, in a similar position, produced a surprise win over Villarreal, who are among the La Liga leaders. Across 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, the home side traditionally try to compete even in disappointing performances, and the last time they lost by a margin of two goals or more was back in 2018.
Barcelona are the reigning national cup holders and now intend to defend the title, just as they have recently done in the Spanish Super Cup. However, in the round of 32 they had to work hard against Guadalajara, with the modest opponent beaten 2:0. Notably, the club have now gone four straight Copa del Rey matches without recording a big win. Over their last 13 games in this tournament, Barcelona have beaten an opponent by a large margin on only three occasions.
Most likely, the clear gap in quality will not prevent the hosts from offering at least some resistance.
Prediction: Racing Santander (+2.5)
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match.
