Albacete vs Barcelona Prediction: Barca to avoid cup shock

Segunda Division outfit Albacete Balompie will welcome the most decorated club in Copa del Rey’s history, Barcelona, to the Estadio Carlos Belmonte on Tuesday night (20:00 GMT, Premier Sports 1), as they look to cause another monumental shock, having already dumped Real Madrid out of this competition.

Barca are still in contention for the quadruple, having already won the Spanish Super Cup, and they lead the way in La Liga. Progression is a must, and below you can find my Albacete vs Barcelona predictions.

Team News

Higinio Marin is a doubt for the hosts with a thigh issue, while Edward Cedeno is still sidelined. Jefte Betancor will start up top again, having been the two-goal hero against Real Madrid, while he also scored against Real Zaragoza at the weekend. 

Raul Lizoain should continue in goal, while Javier Moreno and Carlos Neva will have their hands full at centre-back.

Football Odds

For Barcelona, midfield dynamos Gavi and Pedri are both sidelined, while Andreas Christensen is also a long-term absentee. Hansi Flick will be tempted to rotate his squad, but will be wary of the slip-up Real Madrid made at this ground a couple of weeks ago. 

Marc Bernal may play instead of Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres could lead the line instead of Robert Lewandowski, and Marcus Rashford is likely to get the nod on the left. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Albacete vs Barcelona Odds

As you’d expect, Barca are the massive favourites against lower-league opposition at 2/11, giving them an implied win probability of 85%. Albacete are 12/1 to win in 90 minutes, while a draw can be backed at 6/1. 

Over 2.5 goals is 2/7, BTTS is 8/11, and Lewandowski is the favourite to score first at 9/4.

Barcelona to win and BTTS @ 5/4

Albacete are actually in a purple patch right now, and although you may expect their form to drop off having beaten Real Madrid, they are now on a run of four wins in a row, including that famous 3-2 success over Los Blancos. 

They’ve won three league games to nil since, taking them to 12th in Spain’s second tier, and although it’s a bit of a reach to imagine them making the play-offs, this cup run has been extraordinary. Barcelona should be able to breach their defence, and four of their last five outings have seen both teams score, with Barca also winning their last four on the bounce. 

I’ll back them to get the victory in 90 here, but Albacete may be able to find another memorable goal.

Price Boost - Barcelona to win both halves, Rashford and Lamal 2+ shots on target each @ 4/1

Barcelona could have a field day given the strength of their attack, and I don’t think it is a stretch to expect them to win both halves against lower-league opposition. It’s why I like the look of this Price Boost from Betfred.

Yamine Lamal is averaging 1.57 shots on target per 90 in La Liga this season, and a remarkable 4.31 total shots per 90 - so he should be able to get a couple on target against Albacete. Meanwhile, Rashford is averaging 4.18 shots per 90, with 1.37 of those landing on target every game. 

Given Barca are expecting to dominate, I think those averages can be exceeded and land us a winner. 

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