Barcelona are on Copa del Rey duty for the first time this season against Guadalajara at Estadio Pedro Escartin on Tuesday.
The hosts will seek to eliminate higher-league opponents for the second round running after eliminating Segunda Division outfit Ceuta in the last 64.
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Guadalajara vs Barcelona prediction: Reigning champions to get the job done in style
Key stats
- Barcelona have won each of their last five matches across all competitions.
- However, they have conceded the opening goal in five of their last six outings.
- Having broken the deadlock in four of their most recent five affairs, Guadalajara will hope to exploit their visitors' tendency to be caught out early on in games.
Correct score prediction: Guadalajara 1-4 Barcelona
Barcelona are averaging almost three goals per game this term and are set for another field day in front of goal against less illustrious opponents.
However, the La Liga giants' shakiness at the back means that Guadalajara should fancy their chances of also getting on the scoresheet.
Pre-game odds and win probability: A Walk in the park for the Blaugrana
- HOME: 16/1 (17.00) – 5.9%
- DRAW: 9/1 (10.00) – 10%
- AWAY: 1/9 (1.11) – 90%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Barcelona have not lost a Copa del Rey tie to a lower-league side since their shock exit at the hands of Gramenet in 2004.
Fresh from a 2-0 triumph over Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick's men have been unsurprisingly given a huge vote of confidence to emerge victorious here with a whopping 90% win probability.
Guadalajara, on the other hand, will need to pull off one of the biggest giant killings in Copa del Rey history to come out on top here, as shown by their 5.9% likelihood of winning.
Pere Marti's men are back on home turf after a 3-1 away defeat to Real Madrid Castilla last time out.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting on the horizon
Tuesday's meeting will see Barcelona and Guadalajara face off for the first time on either competitive or friendly duty.
Guadalajara preview: Domestic turmoil so far
After winning three of their first four league games of the campaign, Guadalajara have come out on top in just one of the subsequent 12.
Los Morados currently find themselves in the Primera RFEF Group 1 relegation zone, a far from ideal place to be ahead of such a daunting assignment against Barcelona.
Predicted lineup: Zarco (GK), Martinez, Rodriguez, Ablanque, Gallardo, Tavares, Rojo, Gomez, Munoz, Alvarez & Caropitche
Guadalajara's last five matches:
- Real Madrid Castilla 3-1 Guadalajara (Primera Federcaion)
- Guadalajara 1-0 Osasuna B (Primera Federcaion)
- Guadalajara 1-0 Ceuta (Copa del Rey)
- Pontevedra 1-1 Guadalajara (Primera Federcaion)
- Guadalajara 2-3 Athletic Club B (Primera Federcaion)
Barcelona preview: Normal service resumed after horror show at Stamford Bridge
Barcelona's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea towards the back end of November was arguably their most disappointing result under Hansi Flick, but they have since responded with five wins from five.
This has seen them open up a four-point lead at the summit of La Liga, while last Tuesday's 2-1 triumph over Frankfurt put Barcelona back in firm contention for a place in the Champions League top eight.
Predicted lineup: Szczesny (GK), Eric, Cubarsi, Christensen, Jofre, Casado, De Jong, Roony, Fermin, Dro & Lewandowski
Barcelona's last five matches:
- Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna (LaLiga)
- Barcelona 2-1 Frankfurt (Champions League)
- Real Betis 3-5 Barcelona (LaLiga)
- Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid (LaLiga)
- Barcelona 3-1 Alaves (LaLiga)
Player to watch – Fermin Lopez
Off the back of racking up six goals and four assists in his first 10 club outings this term, Fermin has managed just one goal from six appearances leading up to Barcelona's trip to Castilla–La–Mancha.
Still, the midfielder will be confident of delivering a telling contribution here, especially if given the nod to feature right from the off.
With just one start under his belt in December, Lopez is likely to be handed a starting role on Tuesday.