Barcelona is set to return to the pitch after claiming their first silverware of the season, preparing to face Racing in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday. Having recently triumphed over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, the Catalan giants celebrated their fourth trophy during the Hansi Flick era and marked their 10th consecutive win across all competitions—their best streak since 2016.
While Barcelona rides high on a wave of success, they face a potential challenge from Racing, who currently lead La Liga2. Despite struggling with recent results, Racing boasts players with the caliber to disrupt top-flight teams, notably eliminating Villarreal in the previous round of the Copa del Rey, showcasing their ability to cause upsets.
The matchup will draw significant attention as it marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2011, and the home crowd in Santander is expected to create a lively atmosphere. Racing will aim to pull off an unlikely victory against a formidable opponent.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at Campos de Sport de El Sardinero in Santander. Kick-off is set for 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. GMT.
In terms of their previous encounters, Barcelona has dominated the head-to-head record, winning all five of their last meetings against Racing, with the most recent match ending in a 2-0 victory for Barcelona in March 2012.
Racing enters the match without veteran striker Asier Villalibre, sidelined by injury, but will field a strong lineup featuring standout players like La Liga2 assist leader Íñigo Vicente and second leading goalscorer Andrés Martín, who will look to take advantage of Barcelona’s occasionally vulnerable defense.
On the other hand, Barcelona is expected to make several changes from their Super Cup-winning squad, giving opportunities to players like Wojciech Szczęsny and Ronald Araújo, who may make his first start since returning from leave. Despite the transfer of João Cancelo being confirmed, he may not be ready to play in this match. Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji should also feature prominently after their strong performances.
The upcoming clash presents an intriguing battle between two league leaders, with Barcelona aiming to maintain their momentum. Despite facing a capable Racing squad, Barcelona’s higher quality may prove decisive. Prediction for the match leans towards a 3-1 victory for Barcelona as they continue their Copa del Rey title defense.