Almazan vs Atletico Madrid predictions and match preview for Saturday’s Copa del Rey fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Diego Simeone’s side aim to avoid an upset.
| Date | Saturday 12th November 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Los Pajaritos |
| Competition | Copa del Rey 1st Round |
Almazan vs Atletico Madrid Preview
This weekend’s Copa del Rey 1st Round action sees 55 ties up and down Spain with some of the minnows of Spanish football facing some of the giants. That’s certainly the case here as 5th tier Almazan entertain Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
The game will be played in Soria at the home of Numancia rather than Almazan’s tiny Estadio La Arboleda which didn’t meet the broadcasting requirements. That in theory reduces the chance of an upset, however Los Pajaritos is also a notoriously tough place for visiting teams in the winter with its location at altitude contributing to some very cold nights and rain is also forecast on Saturday evening with this a 22:00 kick-off.
It would still probably go down as the greatest ever Copa del Rey shock were Almazan to win. They are currently only 9th in Group 8 of the Tercera Federación. That’s the same division as the B teams of Ponferradina and Mirandes which gives you some idea of their level. It’s safe to say this is by far the biggest game in the club’s history though and they will be desperate to give a good account of themselves despite having only won twice in their league so far this term.
Atletico Madrid’s recent Copa del Rey record does suggest they are vulnerable to an upset. They have been knocked out by 3rd tier sides Cornella and Cultural Leonesa within the last three years but in theory at least, this is a significant step down in class with Almazan only plying their trade in the 5th tier of Spain’s extensive football pyramid.
Recent Atleti performances and results suggest anything is possible though. They are going through arguably their worst period since Diego Simeone took charge 11 years ago. They are winless in 5 games, a spell that has seen them get knocked out of Europe altogether whilst losing league games at Cadiz and Mallorca, either side of a home draw against 10-man Espanyol. The Copa del Rey represents Atletico Madrid’s only realistic shot at a trophy now and anything but progress here would be disastrous.
Score Prediction: Almazan 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are close to rock bottom right now but the gulf in class should be too great, even if we see extensive rotation with a bunch of players soon heading off to the World Cup. Indeed changes may be a good thing given how poorly some of Atleti’s regulars are performing. They ought to win the game but it’s unlikely to be pretty.
PLEASE NOTE – Our Copa del Rey predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
