The Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash between Albacete vs Real Madrid will be played at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with kick-off scheduled for 01:30 AM on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
This is a classic cup mismatch on paper. Albacete, eager to create one of the biggest upsets in their modern history, welcome a Real Madrid side stacked with elite quality despite rotating several positions. Cold conditions (6°C) and a compact stadium atmosphere could initially favor the hosts, but Madrid’s depth and attacking firepower make them overwhelming favorites.
Match Overview – Albacete vs Real Madrid

| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Albacete vs Real Madrid |
| Competition | Copa del Rey |
| Round | Round of 16 |
| Date & Kick-Off | Thursday, 15 January 2026 – 01:30 AM |
| Venue | Estadio Carlos Belmonte |
| Location | Albacete, Spain |
| Capacity | 17,524 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 6°C – Cold |
Albacete are expected to defend deep and play for moments, while Real Madrid will dominate possession and press aggressively from the first whistle.
Recent Form Guide – Albacete vs Real Madrid
Albacete – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 10/01 | Draw vs Real Sociedad B (0–0) |
| 04/01 | Loss vs Leganés (1–3) |
| 21/12 | Draw vs Granada (1–1) |
| 17/12 | Draw vs Celta de Vigo (2–2) |
| 14/12 | Loss vs Málaga (1–3) |
Real Madrid – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 11/01 | Loss vs Barcelona (2–3) |
| 08/01 | Win vs Atlético Madrid (2–1) |
| 04/01 | Win vs Real Betis (5–1) |
| 20/12 | Win vs Sevilla (2–0) |
| 17/12 | Win vs Talavera (3–2) |
Head-to-Head – Albacete vs Real Madrid
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 03 Apr 2005 | LaLiga | Albacete 1–2 Real Madrid |
| 14 Nov 2004 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 6–1 Albacete |
| 03 Apr 2004 | LaLiga | Albacete 1–2 Real Madrid |
| 23 Nov 2003 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 2–1 Albacete |
Key Trends:
- Real Madrid have won all recorded meetings
- Albacete have never beaten Real Madrid in LaLiga or Copa competitions
- Madrid average 2.75 goals per match in this fixture history
Top Scorers
- Albacete: Jefte Betancor – 2 goals, 1 assist (3 matches)
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé – 2 goals (1 match)
Mbappé’s pace and movement against a deep defensive line could decide the tie early.
Predicted Lineups – Albacete vs Real Madrid

| Position | Albacete | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Marino | Courtois |
| Defence | Neva, Vallejo, Rodríguez, Gámez | Camavinga, Huijsen, García |
| Midfield | Lazo, Medina, Meléndez | Bellingham, Tchouaméni, Valverde, Asencio |
| Attack | Betancor, Gómez, Valverde | Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo, Carreras |
Final lineups will be confirmed one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players – Albacete vs Real Madrid
| Team | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Albacete | Higinio Marín | Injury |
| Real Madrid | Ferland Mendy | Injury |
| Real Madrid | Kylian Mbappé | Injury |
| Real Madrid | Rodrygo | Injury |
| Real Madrid | Éder Militão | Injury |
Statistical Projection – Albacete vs Real Madrid
| Metric | Albacete | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Win Probability | 8% | 74% |
| Draw Probability | 18% | — |
| Possession | 30–35% | 65–70% |
| Shots on Target | 1–3 | 6–9 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.4–0.6 | 2.2–2.6 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 12% | 48% |
| Most Likely Scorer | Betancor | Vinícius Jr |
✅ Final Score Prediction
Albacete 0–3 Real Madrid
Likely Scorers:
- Vinícius Jr
- Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid’s quality, experience, and attacking depth should prove far too strong, even in an away cup setting.
Confidence Levels
- Real Madrid Win: 74%
- Draw: 18%
- Albacete Win: 8%
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Suggested Tips (Informational Only)
- Full-Time Result: Real Madrid Win
- Over 2.5 Total Goals
- Both Teams to Score: No
- Anytime Scorer: Vinícius Jr
⚠️ All predictions are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Albacete vs Real Madrid
1.What time is Albacete vs Real Madrid?
Kick-off is at 01:30 AM on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
2.Where will the match be played?
At Estadio Carlos Belmonte in Albacete, Spain.
3.What is the predicted score?
A 3–0 away win for Real Madrid.
4.Who are the key players to watch?
Jefte Betancor for Albacete and Vinícius Jr for Real Madrid.
5.Is this a single-leg Copa del Rey tie?
Yes, the Round of 16 is decided in a single match.