A place in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey will be at stake when Racing Santander draw swords with Villarreal at El Sardinero on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
View our free Racing Santander vs Villarreal predictions below.
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Racing Santander vs Villarreal predictions: Goals at both ends
Key stats
- Both teams were on the scoresheet in five of Racing Santander's last seven matches.
- Villarreal drew first blood in five of their last seven games.
- Racing Santander are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Racing Santander 1-2 Villarreal
Racing Santander have enjoyed some fine form of late, winning four of their last five matches. However, while they ply their trade in the second tier of Spanish football, Jose Alberto Lopez's troops are up against a top-flight team.
Interestingly, Villarreal have been impressive in domestic competitions, winning eight consecutive matches across La Liga and the Copa del Rey. They also have a solid track record against Santander, losing only once in the last 13 meetings between these sides.
Taking everything into account, we are leaning toward the visitors for the win.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Santander up against it
- HOME: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Racing Santander eliminated SD Logrones and Ponferradina in the previous rounds of the Copa del Rey, while Villarreal knocked out Ciudad de Lucena and Antoniano in their previous two cup games.
Ahead of this skirmish, Villarreal are the expected winners at 21/20 (2.05). Teams with these odds usually have a 48.8% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Racing Santander vs Villarreal predictions.
It is also worth mentioning that three of Racing Santander's last four games went north of the 2.5-goal marker. On that note, over 2.5 total goals has an appealing look at 3/4 (1.75). That one has a 57.1% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Villarreal's dominance to continue?
Racing Santander and Villarreal will square off against each other for the first time since April 2013. Villarreal have been the dominant side in their previous meetings, losing only once in the last 12 H2Hs.
Racing Santander preview: Eyeing their biggest win of the season
With first-choice goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta still the only injured player in the squad, coach Lopez is expected to put out something close to the team that started in their 1-1 draw against Leganes at the weekend.
Racing Santander knocked out Ponferradina in the previous round of the Copa del Rey, and they will be hoping to go one better by ousting Villarreal on Wednesday night.
Predicted lineup: Andreev (GK), Salina, Ramon, Castro, Mantilla, Puerta, Gueye, Vicente, Canales, Martin & Villalibre.
Last five matches
- Racing Santander 1-1 Leganes
- Cadiz 2-3 Racing Santander
- Ponferradina 1-2 Racing Santander
- Racing Santander 4-0 Eibar
- Burgos 0-2 Racing Santander
Villarreal preview: Few absences
Villarreal have done well for themselves in La Liga but they've so far struggled in other competitions this season. It took a last ditch penalty shootout victory for the Yellow Submarine to go past Antoniano in the previous round, and this time against Santander, who are currently Segunda Division leaders, Marcelino’s men cannot afford to be nonchalant in their approach.
The visitors were not involved in league action over the weekend due to bad weather in the Valencia region, which means the players have rested well for this contest. However, Dani Parejo, Pau Cabanes, Logan Costa, and Gerard Moreno are expected to stay out due to injury, while Pape Gueye misses out through Africa Cup of Nations involvement with Senegal.
Predicted lineup: Tenas (GK), Altimira, Veiga, Marin, Cardona, Solomon, Macia, Comesana, Pepe, Oluwaseyi & Mikautadze.
Last five matches
- Villarreal 2-3 Copenhagen
- Villarreal 2-0 Getafe
- Antoniano 1-1 (3) AP (5) Villarreal
- Real Sociedad 2-3 Villarreal
- Dortmund 4-0 Villarreal
Player to watch: Inigo Vicente
Inigo Vicente set up the opening goal in Racing Santander's 1-1 draw with Leganes last weekend. The former Athletic Bilbao player has 15 goal contributions in La Liga 2 this season, more than any other player. Although Vicente was rested for Santander's previous Copa del Rey games, he will likely start on Wednesday, considering their opponents.