La Liga 2 leaders Racing Santander will welcome La Liga leaders Barcelona to El Sardinero for their Copa del Rey encounter on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
View our free Racing Santander vs Barcelona predictions below.
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Racing Santander vs Barcelona predictions: Hosts to draw blanks
Key stats
- Barcelona kept five clean sheets in their last six matches across all competitions.
- Racing Santander did not score a single goal in their last five clashes with Barcelona.
- At least five cards were awarded in each of Racing Santander's last six games.
Correct score prediction: Racing Santander 0-3 Barcelona
These teams are on opposite sides in terms of recent form. While Racing Santander are currently on a three-game winless run, Barcelona have won 10 matches in a row.
Moreover, although these teams have not met in almost 14 years, it is important to note that Barcelona won the last seven H2Hs and did not concede in the last five skirmishes between these outfits.
Considering the difference in quality between these sides, this should be business as usual for Barcelona.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Barcelona clearly favoured
- HOME: 8/1 (9.00) – 11.1%
- DRAW: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- AWAY: 2/9 (1.22) – 81.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Barcelona are coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. They have strung together a 10-match winning streak across all competitions, averaging almost three goals per game in that stretch.
On the other hand, Racing Santander are coming off a disappointing 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Real Zaragoza. Although Jose Alberto Lopez's troops are without a win in their last three games, they have been impressive in the Copa del Rey, having knocked out Villarreal in the previous round.
Ahead of this encounter, Barcelona are the expected winners at 2/9 (1.22). Teams with these odds generally have an 81.8% probability of winning.
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It is also important to note that Barcelona kept five clean sheets in their last six games against teams like Villarreal, Espanyol, and Athletic Bilbao. Keeping in mind that they also did not concede in their last five meetings with Racing Santander, under 0.5 Racing Santander goals has an appealing look at 13/10 (2.30). That one has a 43.5% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Business as usual for Barcelona?
Barcelona were victorious in the last seven meetings between these teams and are unbeaten in their last 17 H2Hs, stretching back to February 1995.
Interestingly, this will be the first encounter between these sides since March 2012, which is unsurprising because Racing Santander have not played in the Spanish top flight since the 2011/12 season.
Racing Santander preview: Eyeing their biggest win in almost two decades
First-choice goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta was unavailable for Santander's last Copa del Rey game against Villarreal due to an injury, but since his return, the 29-year-old has been back between the sticks and should continue in goal for this game. However, former Athletic Bilbao forward Asier Villalibre is still injured, making him the only missing player for the hosts.
Head coach Jose Alberto Lopez is expected to be out of this game following his sending off in the last round. His assistant could likely put out something close to the team that started in their defeat against Real Zaragoza last weekend.
Santander knocked out Villarreal in the previous round of the Copa del Rey, and they will be hoping to go one better by ousting Barcelona on Thursday night.
Predicted lineup: Ezkieta (GK), Salina, Ramon, Castro, Mantilla, Puerta, Gueye, Vicente, Canales, Arana & Martin.
Last five matches
- Racing Santander 2-3 Real Zaragoza
- Real Valladolid 1-1 Racing Santander
- Huesca 1-1 Racing Santander
- Racing Santander 2-1 Villarreal
- Racing Santander 1-1 Leganes
Barcelona preview: Looking to extend their winning streak
Veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo back surgery, ruling him out for three months. Experienced defender Andreas Christensen is sidelined until April due to an ACL injury, while Gavi, who has a knee problem, remains out of action for the Blaugrana.
Third-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is expected to be between the sticks here, with a rest for Joan Garcia, who picked up his first silverware as a Barcelona player on Sunday, seen as a necessary move.
Following Barcelona's success over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, the likes of Raphinha, Pedri, Lewandowski, and Kounde are expected to start this game from the bench.
Predicted lineup: Szczesny (GK), Torrents, Cubarsi, E. Garcia, Balde, Bernal, De Jong, Lopez, Bardghji, Yamal & Rashford.
Last five matches
- Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
- Barcelona 5-0 Athletic Bilbao
- Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona
- Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona
- Guadalajara 0-2 Barcelona
Player to watch: Raphinha
Raphinha has been nothing short of impressive, scoring four goals and providing an assist in his last two appearances for Barcelona. Although the former Leeds United player will likely start from the bench, he will be called upon to provide goals at some point in this match.