Will there be any surprises in Copa del Rey?: Accumulator Tips for December 16, 2025

There is a solid offer this Tuesday, and we know that it is somehow easier to put together an Accumulator tip than on the weekend when there are plenty of matches. This Tuesday, cup matches take over the stage across Europe, and our focus will be on the match Cardiff vs Chelsea in the EFL Cup, Guadalajara vs Barcelona, and Eibar vs Elche in the Spanish Copa del Rey. These matches are also interesting because many times the underdog makes a surprise and gets a positive result over a big club. We will see if that will be the case this time.

Cardiff vs Chelsea

Cardiff face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, with the hosts looking to pull off a surprise under the floodlights at Cardiff City Stadium. This will be the first time Cardiff and Chelsea have met since the Welsh side last played in the Premier League in 2018/19. While both teams have changed significantly since then, Chelsea have won each of their last five games against the Bluebirds. Chelsea will likely see this competition as their best chance of winning a trophy this season, and Enzo Maresca will be keen to avoid any humiliation against the Welsh side. Enzo Maresca is likely to make a major rotation, changing more than half of his starting line-up. After all, Chelsea faces a tough away match against Newcastle in just a few days, and managing their workload during this intense period is key. However, I don’t think the massive changes will significantly reduce the Londoners’ chances of reaching the semi-finals. The difference in quality and depth of the squad should be felt, and this time the Blues can show a much more dominant game than in previous rounds.

Possible Lineups

🔖Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Trott; Ng, Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Wintle, Robertson, Turnbull; Ashford, Salech, J. Colwill

🔖Chelsea possible starting lineup: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; George

• Bet on: Over 2.5

Guadalajara vs Barcelona

Barcelona will play their first Copa del Rey match of the season against Guadalajara at the Pedro Escartin stadium on Tuesday. The hosts will be looking to knock out a higher-tier side for the second time in a row after eliminating second-tier Ceuta in the round of 32. Barcelona have averaged almost three goals per game this season and will be looking to put in another effective performance against a weaker side. Barcelona have not lost a Copa del Rey match against a lower-tier side since a shock exit to Gramenet in 2004. After their 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick's side have been given the much-anticipated confidence they will emerge victorious from this fixture, with an incredible 90% chance of victory. Guadalajara, on the other hand, will have to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Copa del Rey history to win this match, as their win probability of just 5.9% suggests. While Barcelona are not at their best, they are clear favourites against a struggling third-tier side. The only question is how big the victory will be.

Possible Lineups

🔖CD Guadalajara possible starting lineup: Vicente; Mayo, Ablanque, Rodriguez, Casado; Rojo, Calvo; Diaz, Ramirez, Munoz; Canizo

🔖Barcelona possible starting lineup: Szczesny; E Garcia, Cubarsi, Christensen, Jofre; Casado, Bernal; Bardghji, Fermin, Dro; Lewandowski

• Bet on: Over 3.5

Eibar vs Elche

Since 2021, Eibar have been in the Segunda Division, and the question is when they will be back in La Liga. The Basque team has been very weak this season, currently in the relegation zone, and is more concerned about surviving in the second division than thinking about entering the elite. The guests are playing great in La Liga in this championship, although on Friday, they suffered a somewhat unexpected defeat in the Balearic Islands against Mallorca. The defeat itself is not so much a surprise, but the fact that Elche, known for its solid defense, conceded three goals in the Balearic Islands from a team whose efficiency is not a trademark is what made them so successful. This was only Elche's fifth defeat in this championship, and they have played 16 games. Although they are meeting a second division team, from the relegation zone, and one of the more pleasant surprises in La Liga, this does not necessarily mean anything in the Copa del Rey. Surprises are the rule in this competition, not the exception. However, we will leave out the outcome and suggest a game with both teams scoring.

Possible Lineups

🔖Eibar possible starting lineup: Magunagoitia; Cubero, Arbilla, Esnal, Arambarri; Alvarez, Olaetxea; Magunazelaia, Garrido, Corpas; Marton

🔖Elche possible starting lineup: Dituro; Bigas, Affengruber, Chust; Nunez, Aguado, Febas, Valera, Fort; Rodriguez, Mir

• Bet on: BTTS