The Round of 16 match of the Copa del Rey between Real Betis and Elche will take place on January 14 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. Real Betis vs Elche: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Real Betis
Real Betis played all three ties in the current edition of the tournament away from home, yet this did not bother the team coached by Manuel Pellegrini: thrashings of Palma del Río (7:1), Torrentes (4:1) and a clean-sheet win over Real Murcia (2:0). It is worth noting that in the previous round the team managed, for the first time in four Copa del Rey matches, to keep a clean sheet. Moreover, the club's scoring run in the national cup stands at seven games. The club reached the Round of 16 for the fifth time in the last six editions, and during that period the side won the title, but for four consecutive years this stage has proved a stumbling block.
- The team scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 Copa del Rey matches.
- Real Betis have conceded in eight consecutive home matches in this tournament.
- At home the club drew in regular time in 5 of their last 7 national cup meetings (2 wins).
Potential Real Betis Lineup (4-4-2)*
Álvaro Valles – Junior Firpo, Marc Bartra, Diego Gómez, Ángel Ortiz – Giovani Lo Celso, Marc Roca, Pablo Fornals, Aitor Ruibal – Cucho Hernández, Antony.
Midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Abde Ezzalzouli are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Isco is unavailable for the match due to health issues.
Elche
Elche also played all three matches away from home in the 2025/26 Copa del Rey, recording wins over Los Garres (4:0), Quintanar del Rey (2:1) and Eibar (1:0). It is worth noting that in this tournament the team has been solid defensively, keeping a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 matches. Nevertheless such numbers have not helped the club achieve significant results. This progression to the Round of 16 is only the club's third in the past 11 years. Moreover, the team last passed this round in the distant 1968/69 season. It was then that the club achieved its best result in the national cup, reaching the final.
- At least one team failed to score in 7 of the club's last 8 Copa del Rey games.
- Elche have a streak of 7 away wins in this tournament.
- In 5 of their last 7 away Copa del Rey matches the club scored at least two goals.
Potential Elche Lineup (3-5-2)*
Matías Dituro – Víctor Chust, Leo Petro, Pedro Bigas – Martim Neto, Álvaro Núñez, Marc Aguado, Aleix Febas, Jhermann Valera – Álvaro Rodríguez, Yago Santiago.
Forward Rafa Mir and defender Héctor Fort are injured.
Referee
Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
Matches – 12 (La Liga and the Copa del Rey, 2025/26);
Yellow/red cards (including second yellows) – 46;
Average yellow/red cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards – 5;
Fouls per match – 23;
Penalties awarded – 17%.
Real Betis Vs Elche: Match Prediction
Real Betis have shown decent results at home in the national cup, avoiding defeat in regular time over 10 games (4 wins, 6 draws). However, the side does not demonstrate solid defensive performances. The home run with goals conceded in this tournament has reached eight matches. In the current edition the team coached by Manuel Pellegrini allowed goals in both matches against lower-division opponents, and in La Liga the club has one of the two worst goals-conceded records among teams from the top half of the table.
We believe the away team can exploit the opponent's defensive problems. Elche show good scoring form across all competitions. On the road in the Copa del Rey the club have a seven-match scoring run, and in five matches during that stretch they scored at least two goals. In the league the team coached by Eder Sarabia rank sixth for the number of successful strikes. In addition, Elche already troubled Real Betis in the first round of La Liga (1:1).
Prediction: Elche Over 0.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team reflects its previous match.
