Albacete
- Albacete are flying high in the Copa del Rey but sitting mid-to-low table in Segunda.
- Albacete Balompie are huge underdogs, with the draw priced at 7.2.
- Albacete’s manager Alberto González is an extremely smart coach who has led his team to two huge upsets using a similar blueprint that involves compacting the team into a 3-5-2 block or a five-man backline.
- They do not like to leave space behind their defence and will surely set up to be solid at the back, then hit Barca on the counter-attack and from set pieces.
Barcelona
- Barcelona are LaLiga leaders and favourites to win Tuesday’s matchup.
- Barca have kept up their performances in all competitions under Hansi Flick, who has implemented a system where the team presses high and plays a proactive style, rotating positions and always looking to overload the flanks.
- They have won their last five competitive matches, keeping up with their LaLiga title run and also progressing in the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 win at Racing Santander, securing the Spanish Super Cup and topping their Champions League group.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona have won 9 , drawn 4 and lost 1 of 14 previous LaLiga matches against Albacete.
Barcelona
- Robert Lewandowski remains a lethal finisher, while Ferrán Torres has stepped up his game in domestic competitions, contributing important goals in both league and cup competitions.
- Barca’s Lamine Yamal could be a key factor too as the young winger has been a clutch player, delivering game-changing assists and goals.
Albacete
- Veteran Antonio Puertas has been among the goals for Albacete and provided a good targetman since returning to fitness, while Agus Medina and José Carlos Lazo are the creative duo who supply crosses and set pieces that have caused havoc in cup ties.
- Jefte Betancor, a tall and physical player, was on the spot to put them ahead against Real Madrid and has been a threat throughout the competition.
Betting Insights
- Albacete Balompie are huge underdogs, with the draw priced at 7.2.
- Barcelona are an overwhelming 1.18 to defeat the Segunda side and book their place in the last four of the competition.
- Backing Over 2.5 goals at 1.3 seems about right as Barcelona’s attacking force is irresistible and Albacete’s set-piece threat has been vital to their cup run.
Prediction
- This game has all the makings of a classic cup clash where the first goal will dictate the course of the game and an upset or extra-time could be on the cards.
- Wind and showers could add to the difficulty in keeping the ball on the ground for Barcelona and make the set-piece battle even more crucial to both sides’ chances of winning.
