Will the underdog repeat its cup miracle against a Champions League side? Copa del Rey prediction: Navalcarnero vs. Betis
On Thursday, 1-uj2 November 2026, at 19:00 Central European Time, the Copa del Rey first-round (round of 64) match between modest Navalcarnero and La Liga giants Real Betis of Seville will be played at the Santo Domingo Stadium in Alcorcón (where the Madrid-based club is forced to host the Sevillians due to the competition regulations).
There is a real sporting gulf between the teams: Betis compete in the Champions League and are fighting for a top-four finish in La Liga, while Navalcarnero represent only the Segunda Federación (the fourth tier of Spanish football).
Navalcarnero are known to fans for their sensational cup runs in previous years, when they knocked out top-flight clubs. This season, however, the “red and whites” are not setting the world alight: the team sit in the middle of the table in their Segunda Federación group.
In their latest round of fixtures, the Madrid side played out a high-scoring 2-2 away draw with Guadalajara. The hosts’ best hope is disciplined commitment, maximum compactness in their own penalty area and a threat from set pieces. But their defenders are sorely lacking the positional pace to cope with top-flight players.
Betis, meanwhile, are enjoying a superb autumn under the experienced Manuel Pellegrini. In La Liga, Betis are firmly among the leading pack (26 points from 12 matches, including a recent 2-0 clean-sheet win over Elche), while also consistently picking up points in the Champions League league phase.
Even with the large-scale rotation expected for this opening-round cup tie, the Sevilla side’s reserve squad is packed with players of a high European standard.
Betis are expected to take complete control of possession from the opening seconds, breaking down the hosts’ defensive lines with overloads out wide and incisive passes from midfield. Navalcarnero will set up in a deep 5-4-1 block, looking to disrupt the rhythm, get stuck into challenges and rely on counterattacks or mistakes from the Sevilla defence.
It is worth noting that the teams have never met in an official competition. The visit of La Liga’s fourth-placed side is the biggest event of the year for Navalcarnero.
What should you bet on in this match?
The quality of Betis’ goalkeeping and defensive units should limit the number of dangerous chances in front of their goal to a handful. On that basis, my prediction is both teams to score — no.
