Sports
Racing Santander v Barcelona – Line-ups, stats and preview
Match Preview for Racing Santander v Barcelona
La Liga leaders Barcelona make the trip to El Sardinero on Thursday night to face Segunda Division pacesetters Racing de Santander in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
The Blaugrana must quickly refocus after lifting the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday with a hard-fought win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia, while Racing are enjoying an impressive campaign as they push for a long-awaited return to the top flight.
Racing are targeting promotion for the first time since their relegation in the 2011-12 season and currently sit top of the Segunda Division standings.
Jose Alberto’s side have won 11, drawn five and lost five of their 21 league matches, although their lead is slender.
A recent dip in form has seen the Cantabrian outfit go four games without a win in the league, including three consecutive 1-1 draws before Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Real Zaragoza, their first loss in the division since early November.
Barcelona arrive on the back of a 10-match winning streak in all competitions, their longest since 2016, and could hardly be in better spirits.
After ending 2025 strongly, the Catalan giants began the new year with a derby win over Espanyol before storming to Spanish Super Cup glory.
Hansi Flick’s side thrashed Athletic Club 5-0 in the semi-finals before edging past Real Madrid in the final, with Raphinha scoring twice in the 3-2 win to cap off a prolific tournament for the Brazilian.
Barcelona have won each of their last seven competitive meetings with Racing, including a 2-0 victory at El Sardinero in 2012, but with momentum and home support on their side, the hosts will believe an upset is possible.
Team news for Racing Santander v Barcelona
Racing will be without forward Asier Villalibre, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained earlier this month.
Arana, the hero of the Villarreal victory, remains a doubt after missing the defeat to Zaragoza at the weekend, and his availability will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Jose Alberto rotated heavily in the previous round and may freshen up his side again, with Pablo Ramon, Mario Garcia and Suleiman Camara among those pushing for starts.
Barcelona are missing Andreas Christensen, who is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with a partial ACL tear, while Gavi continues his recovery from knee surgery.
Frenkie de Jong is suspended after his red card in the Spanish Super Cup final, and Flick is expected to rotate following the exertions of the Super Cup campaign.
Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado and Marcus Rashford are all candidates to come into the starting XI, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen could feature in goal as Flick manages the workload of Joan Garcia.
Expected line-ups for Racing Santander v Barcelona
Racing Santander: Ezkieta; Mantilla, Ramon, Gonzalez, Garcia; Gueye, Puerta; Sangalli, Canales, Camara; Martin
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Garcia, Araujo, Martin, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Bardghji, Olmo, Rashford; Ferran
How to watch Racing Santander v Barcelona: TV channel, online live stream
The Copa del Rey clash between Racing Santander and Barcelona kicks off at 8pm UK time and 9pm local time.
Viewers can watch the match on Premier Sports 1 or the Premier Sports player.
The stats for Racing Santander v Barcelona
- Racing are appearing in the Copa del Rey last 16 for the first time since 2013-14
- Racing eliminated Villarreal 2-1 in the previous round
- Barcelona are on a 10-match winning run in all competitions
- Barcelona have won their last seven competitive matches against Racing
- Racing have not beaten Barcelona since January 2004
Prediction
Racing Santander
0
–
3
Barcelona
Barcelona may rotate following their Spanish Super Cup success, and Racing have already shown they can trouble top-flight opposition in this competition.
However, the visitors’ depth and quality should prove to be too much over 90 minutes, with Barcelona expected to run out as comfortable winners.
