Thursday's Copa del Rey predictions including Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 18 January 2024

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Copa del Rey fixtures, including Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid.

Unionistas vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 6.30pm)

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring against Osasuna on January 11, 2024 © Reuters

Out to restore a small sliver of pride in the wake of their Supercopa de Espana embarrassment, Barcelona drop down the divisions to tackle third-tier Unionistas in Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 tie.

Xavi's side slumped to a 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the recent Supercopa final, and their hosts - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition - will aim to prolong the Blaugrana's blues at Renia Sofia.

We say: Unionistas 1-3 Barcelona

The shackles will well and truly come off for a Unionistas side who ought to play without any trepidation on Thursday evening, especially with Barcelona's morale and energy levels being drained in Saudi Arabia.

A second-string Blaugrana outfit made hard work of their previous success over Barbastro, and the Barca sheets may not be clean at the end of the 90 minutes, but the visitors will surely possess too much offensive firepower for their third-tier hosts, whose journey should still end on a high rather than with a whimper.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 2.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Barcelona could line up against Unionistas

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Unionistas

Atletico vs. Real Madrid (Thursday, 8.30pm)

Real Madrid's Nacho lifts the trophy with teammates and coach Carlo Ancelotti after winning the Spanish Super Cup on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

Eight days on from playing out an eight-goal extravaganza in the Supercopa de Espana, Madrid derby foes Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid reunite on Spanish soil for a Copa del Rey last-16 clash on Thursday.

Carlo Ancelotti's men triumphed 5-3 over their near neighbours en route to glory in Riyadh, and Los Blancos now resume the defence of another one of their hard-earned knockout crowns.

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid

While Atletico's overall form recently is nothing to write home about, Los Rojiblancos are on a remarkable 25-game unbeaten run at the Metropolitano Stadium - winning 11 of their last 12 at a ground where they have not lost in over a year.

With Simeone's side also enjoying a longer recuperation period from their Middle Eastern endeavours, a jet-lagged Real will have their work cut out this time around and could very well see their Copa del Rey defence crash and burn against their vengeful rivals.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Real Madrid could line up against Atletico Madrid

> Real Madrid injury, suspension list vs. Atletico