Preview: Albacete Balompié vs. FC Barcelona, Copa del Rey

MADRID (Interstat) — A classic Copa del Rey mismatch sees Spanish giants FC Barcelona travel to face second-division Albacete Balompié in a round of 16 clash on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

The tournament draw has delivered a stark contrast in pedigree. Barcelona, a record 31-time Copa champion, enters as the overwhelming favorite against an Albacete side fighting for promotion in the Segunda División. The match will be played at Albacete’s Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

Recent form, however, adds a layer of intrigue to the fixture. Albacete arrives with monumental confidence after a stunning 3-2 victory over La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid at home on Wednesday, Jan. 14. That upset proves their capability to topple elite opponents on their home pitch.

Barcelona advanced to this stage with a comfortable 2-0 away win at third-tier Real Racing Club on Thursday, Jan. 15. While businesslike, that result lacked the shock value of Albacete’s earlier triumph.

The Copa del Rey, known for its single-elimination format and occasional hosting of smaller clubs in later rounds, is built for such David vs. Goliath encounters. Albacete will aim to replicate its giant-killing act, leveraging home support and the momentum from the Madrid win.

Barcelona, consistently competing for domestic and European honors, is expected to control possession and tempo. The gap in resources and individual talent is significant, and manager Xavi Hernández will likely rotate his squad while demanding focus to avoid an embarrassing exit.

Statistical analysis firm Interstat projects a straightforward outcome, simulating a 2-0 victory for the Catalan visitors.

History heavily favors Barcelona, but Albacete’s victory over Real Madrid serves as a warning. The home side has already proven it can rise to the occasion against the very best, setting the stage for a compelling cup tie under the lights in Castilla-La Mancha.

The winner will advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.