A place in the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey will be at stake when Albacete host Real Madrid at Carlos Belmonte Stadium on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
View our free Albacete vs Real Madrid predictions below.
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Albacete vs Real Madrid predictions: Goals expected
Key stats
- At least five goals were scored in three of Real Madrid's last five matches across all competitions.
- Real Madrid led at half-time in five of their last six games.
- There were at least 11 corners in five of Real Madrid’s last six games.
Correct score prediction: Albacete 1-4 Real Madrid
Not only are Albacete a La Liga 2 side, but they also have no wins in regulation time in their last five matches. Alberto Fernandez's men have lost three of their last four home games, all by two-goal margins.
Compared to the teams Albacete have faced in that stretch, Real Madrid are a much bigger fish to fry. Los Blancos have won five of their last six matches and have a great track record against their hosts, having won the last five encounters between these sides.
Given the huge difference in quality between these squads, anything other than a comfortable victory for Real Madrid would be a surprise.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Madrid clearly favoured
- HOME: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
- DRAW: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
- AWAY: 1/5 (1.20) – 83.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Albacete have had an impressive Copa del Rey campaign, defeating Leganes and Celta Vigo in the previous two rounds. They will set their sights on defeating another top-flight team on Wednesday night.
On the other hand, Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup title to arch-rivals Barcelona in their previous match. Coach Xabi Alonso resigned shortly after, and Alvaro Arbeloa will be in the dugout for this game.
Ahead of this skirmish, Real Madrid are the expected winners at 1/5 (1.20). Teams with these odds generally have an 83.3% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Albacete vs Real Madrid predictions.
Also, keeping in mind that five of Real Madrid's last six matches featured at least 11 corners, over 10.5 total corners has an appealing look at 1/1 (2.00). That one has a 50% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: First encounter in two decades
This will be Albacete’s first clash with Real Madrid since April 2005, which is not surprising because the hosts have not played in the Spanish top flight since the 2004/05 season.
It is important to note that Real Madrid were victorious in the last five H2Hs and have never lost to Albacete.
Albacete preview: Eyeing their biggest win in over three decades
As at the time of writing, there are no injury issues reported from the Albacete squad, meaning that coach Alberto Fernandez has everything at his disposal to put out a strong starting XI for this game.
Albacete knocked out Celta Vigo on penalties during the last round of the Copa del Rey, and they will hope to go one better by eliminating Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Predicted lineup: Marino (GK), Aguado, Moreno, Villar, Neva, Gomez, Escriche, Capi, Melendez, Valverde & Jefte.
Last five matches
- Real Sociedad B U21 0-0 Albacete
- Albacete 1-3 Leganes
- Granada 1-1 Albacete
- Albacete 2-2 (3) AP (0) Celta
- Albacete 1-3 Malaga
Real Madrid preview: No new absences
Looking to get over the recent Spanish Super Cup final disappointment, Real Madrid will travel to Albacete for their Round of 16 Copa del Rey game without Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Federico Valverde.
Captain Dani Carvajal and Kylian Mbappe could be part of the action on Wednesday as these players have worked their way back to fitness after injury layoffs. However, Brahim Diaz remains unavailable due to AFCON involvement with Morocco.
Andriy Lunin will be between the sticks for Los Blancos. Raul Asencio could likely partner Dean Huijsen at centre-back, while Gonzalo Garcia, Arda Guler, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo Goes are expected to start.
Predicted lineup: Lunin (GK), Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler, Vini, G. Garcia & Rodrygo.
Last five matches
- Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
- Real Madrid 5-1 Real Betis
- Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla
- Talavera 2-3 Real Madrid
Player to watch: Jefte Betancor
Jefte Betancor has been impressive in the Copa del Rey this season, with three goal contributions in as many appearances. The former Las Palmas forward is expected to start and will fancy his chances against Real Madrid.