We are looking at a midweek fixture list featuring cup competitions such as the Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, and DFB-Pokal. As these tournaments have reached the later knockout stages, the available schedule is relatively limited. Therefore, we have selected only three matches for you this midweek and shared our predictions. Wishing you a profitable midweek.
Albacete Balompié vs FC Barcelona
Match Analysis
Albacete, who drew attention by eliminating Real Madrid, and an in-form Barcelona producing highly efficient attacking football meet in the Copa del Rey quarter-final. While things have been going well for Albacete—who have started to pull away from the relegation zone with recent league wins following the Real Madrid victory—the task will be far more difficult against a Barcelona side that build play effortlessly and create scoring chances with ease.
To be honest, Albacete were quite fortunate when they eliminated Real Madrid. The LaLiga 2 side advanced largely thanks to goals that came from Real Madrid’s poor build-up play and defensive mistakes. This time, however, they will be facing a Barcelona team with very strong build-up quality and a much more comfortable style of play, leaving them with little chance. Given the huge gap in squad quality between the two sides, it is also unlikely that Albacete will produce an individual moment capable of changing the course of the match. Barcelona are expected to win comfortably and by a clear margin, almost as if sending a message to Real Madrid.
Prediction
Away Win (-1.5) ✖
Olympique Lyon vs Stade Lavallois
Match Analysis
Stade Laval, who are fighting to avoid relegation in France’s Ligue 2, will face a Coupe de France quarter-final clash against Lyon, a side with a squad far superior in quality and currently in very good form. With 21 league rounds played, Stade Laval sit 17th in Ligue 2, and AS Nancy-Lorraine—whom they need to catch to move clear of the relegation zone—are already six points ahead.
Going through such a difficult period, the away side are unlikely to be fully motivated for this match. When squad quality is also taken into account, Lyon are the undisputed favorites and are expected to secure a comfortable and convincing victory.
Prediction
Home Win (-1.5) ✔
Holstein Kiel vs VfB Stuttgart
Match Analysis
Stuttgart, one of the in-form German sides in recent weeks, travel to face Holstein Kiel in the DFB-Pokal quarter-final. Holstein Kiel currently sit just four points above the relegation zone in the 2. Bundesliga. The home side will try to turn the match into a difficult contest by using their home advantage. However, Alexander Bernhardsson—who has played a key role in Kiel’s attacking output this season with 4 goals and 6 assists—will miss the match due to injury.
When all these factors are combined, the task becomes considerably more difficult for the hosts. In-form Stuttgart are expected to defeat their significantly weaker opponents without too much trouble, especially with Kiel likely to struggle to produce goals in Bernhardsson’s absence.
Prediction
Away Win ✔