Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Copa del Rey match.
Real Madrid’s unexpected slip-up against Espanyol (0:1) on Saturday ended their five-match unbeaten run. On Wednesday, they face Leganés, who have stunned both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in the past two months (both 1:0 wins). However, their last encounter with Real Madrid in late November was far less successful, as they suffered a defeat (0:3).
Leganés
Despite their respectable performances against La Liga giants, Leganés were fortunate to receive a favourable Copa del Rey draw, facing three lower-division opponents. However, even against these sides, they struggled—Estepona (3:2 on penalties), Cartagena (2:1), and Almería (3:2) all created plenty of chances. In their last two league matches against Athletic Bilbao (0:0) and Rayo Vallecano (0:1), Leganés managed just three shots on target over 180 minutes.
Real Madrid
With a crucial Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid looming on Saturday—a fixture that could significantly impact the La Liga title race—Carlo Ancelotti is likely to rotate his squad to give key players some rest. However, Real Madrid’s depth remains formidable. Before their defeat to Espanyol, they had scored 32 goals in nine matches since the start of 2025. In January, Real Madrid topped La Liga in xG (13.08), proving their attacking prowess.
Leganés vs Real Madrid Prediction
In their La Liga clash at Leganés earlier this season, Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham each found the net for Real Madrid. Leganés will struggle to contain a motivated Madrid side. Even with squad rotation, the visitors should secure a comfortable victory.
