Preview: The Arbeloa era starts at Albacete for Real MadridShareLaLiga 2 side Albacete host Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, facing each other for the first time since 2005. Albacete have been out of LaLiga ever since that year, and currently sit 17th in Spain’s second tier.By Matt SmithMadrid have reached the final of this competition twice in the last three years, winning it once in that period against Osasuna back in 2023. The Spanish giants will play their first game under the tutelage of Álvaro Arbeloa, following Xabi Alonso’s exit this week.Team newsAlbacete should have a strong squad to choose from, with no injury problems occurring after their game against Real Sociedad B last time out. They could name a similar side to the one that defeated LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo in the last round of the competition.For Real Madrid, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brahim Díaz, and Ferland Mendy all remain out for the away side. Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde are doubts after their Super Cup fixture in Saudi Arabia last week, while Madrid could make a host of changes after a busy period.Albacete struggling in LaLiga 2Albacete are enduring a difficult season in the second tier, sitting just above the relegation zone. Defensively, Alberto González’s side have had their struggles, conceding 32.6 xG this term, with only two teams conceding more in the league.Although they managed to get past Celta in the previous round, it took a 93rd-minute equaliser before winning on penalties. Albacete conceded 18 shots that day, totalling an xG of 2.49, meaning they’ll have to tighten up as they face one of the best sides in Europe this week.Barcelona clash was terminal for AlonsoReal Madrid started to pick up a bit of form in recent weeks, but it was the defeat against Barcelona that saw Alonso relieved of his duties. Madrid have been chasing Barcelona in LaLiga for most of the season, and as they sit four points behind in the race for the title, the loss in Saudi Arabia was the final straw.Madrid are now entering a new era under Arbeloa, who was previously managing Real Madrid Castilla. It’s unclear how long he’s going to be in charge, but the former Liverpool defender will be in the dugout against Albacete.The full return of Mbappé?Kylian Mbappé made his first appearance of 2026 against Barcelona last time out, coming off the bench to play 14 minutes upon his return from injury. To get the French forward up to speed ahead of LaLiga action this weekend, we could see Arbeloa give him a run-out from the start to build up his fitness.Mbappé’s shot map in LaLiga this seasonMbappé is enjoying a phenomenal season in front of goal, scoring a whopping 18 times from 18 starts in LaLiga. Albacete will be hoping he’s not fit enough to start, but if he is, he’s undoubtedly the player to watch ahead of this game.PredictionReal Madrid should have too much for the side from LaLiga 2. We’re going for a comfortable 3-0 victory in Arbeloa’s first game in charge.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Copa Del Rey with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: The Arbeloa era starts at Albacete for Real MadridLaLiga 2 side Albacete host Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, facing each other for the first time since 2005. Albacete have been out of LaLiga ever since that year, and currently sit 17th in Spain’s second tier.By Matt SmithMadrid have reached the final of this competition twice in the last three years, winning it once in that period against Osasuna back in 2023. The Spanish giants will play their first game under the tutelage of Álvaro Arbeloa, following Xabi Alonso’s exit this week.Team newsAlbacete should have a strong squad to choose from, with no injury problems occurring after their game against Real Sociedad B last time out. They could name a similar side to the one that defeated LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo in the last round of the competition.For Real Madrid, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brahim Díaz, and Ferland Mendy all remain out for the away side. Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde are doubts after their Super Cup fixture in Saudi Arabia last week, while Madrid could make a host of changes after a busy period.Albacete struggling in LaLiga 2Albacete are enduring a difficult season in the second tier, sitting just above the relegation zone. Defensively, Alberto González’s side have had their struggles, conceding 32.6 xG this term, with only two teams conceding more in the league.Although they managed to get past Celta in the previous round, it took a 93rd-minute equaliser before winning on penalties. Albacete conceded 18 shots that day, totalling an xG of 2.49, meaning they’ll have to tighten up as they face one of the best sides in Europe this week.Barcelona clash was terminal for AlonsoReal Madrid started to pick up a bit of form in recent weeks, but it was the defeat against Barcelona that saw Alonso relieved of his duties. Madrid have been chasing Barcelona in LaLiga for most of the season, and as they sit four points behind in the race for the title, the loss in Saudi Arabia was the final straw.Madrid are now entering a new era under Arbeloa, who was previously managing Real Madrid Castilla. It’s unclear how long he’s going to be in charge, but the former Liverpool defender will be in the dugout against Albacete.The full return of Mbappé?Kylian Mbappé made his first appearance of 2026 against Barcelona last time out, coming off the bench to play 14 minutes upon his return from injury. To get the French forward up to speed ahead of LaLiga action this weekend, we could see Arbeloa give him a run-out from the start to build up his fitness.Mbappé’s shot map in LaLiga this seasonMbappé is enjoying a phenomenal season in front of goal, scoring a whopping 18 times from 18 starts in LaLiga. Albacete will be hoping he’s not fit enough to start, but if he is, he’s undoubtedly the player to watch ahead of this game.PredictionReal Madrid should have too much for the side from LaLiga 2. We’re going for a comfortable 3-0 victory in Arbeloa’s first game in charge.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Copa Del Rey with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.