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Where to Watch, Predicted Lineups

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Real Madrid kick off their 2025-26 Copa del Rey campaign with a trip West to take on CF Talavera on Wednesday.

Los Blancos are fresh off a much-needed 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday thanks to a 76th minute strike by Rodrygo to break the deadlock. The victory allowed Xabi Alonso’s squad to keep pace with FC Barcelona near the top of the La Liga table, still sitting four points behind their eternal rivals.

Madrid have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, dropping points in six of their last nine matches in all competitions, losing to Manchester City, Celta Vigo and Liverpool in that span.

They’re still set to automatically qualify for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League, sitting seventh in the league phase standings with four wins and 12 points through six games.

The Galacticos are looking for retribution after reaching the final of the Copa del Rey last season, only to fall 3-2 in extra time to Barcelona in a dramatic affair.

CF Talavera, meanwhile, occupies 19th position in the Primera Federacion – Grupo 1 standings, which is the third division of Spanish football. They defeated Rayo Majadahonda and Malaga in the first two rounds of the competition to book their date with Real Madrid in the Round of 32.

Real Madrid and CF Talavera have never faced each other before.

Real Madrid vs CF Talavera Betting Odds

franco mastantuono

  • Real Madrid to win: -1000
  • Draw: +750
  • CF Talavera to win: +2000
  • Both teams to score (Yes/No): +140 / -180
  • Over/Under 3.5 goals: +104 / -128
  • Rodrygo first goalscorer: +490
  • Franco Mastantuono anytime goalscorer: +110

Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

Where to Watch Real Madrid vs CF Talavera

Rodrygo celebrating after scoring for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League

  • When: Wednesday, December 17th – 3PM ET / 12PM PT
  • Where: Municipal El Prado, Talavera
  • Where to Watch in the United States: ESPN+

Real Madrid Team News and Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts

Xabi Alonso will undoubtedly rotate his lineup on Wednesday, giving some of his squad’s depth pieces valuable minutes.

Andriy Lunin should be between the sticks, and we could see a first start for academy product Victor Valdepeñas alongside Dean Huijsen in the middle of defense.

Thiago Pitarch could also get a start in midfield, likely alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Güler.

Endrick could be in contention to start as the No. 9, but considering his lack of playing time this season, Alonso might prefer to go with the proven goalscorer in Gonzalo Garcia.

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3): Andriy Lunin (GK) – Fran Garcia, Victor Valdepeñas, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio – Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Güler – Rodrygo, Gonzalo Garcia, Franco Mastantuono.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts


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Done Deal: Newcastle Agree £43m Deal to Sign Bazoumana Traore

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Newcastle United have agreed a £43m deal to sign Hoffenheim forward Bazoumana Traore this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

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Man Utd Leading Race to Sign £103m Star Felix Nmecha

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Manchester United are leading the race alongside Man City to sign Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha this summer, according to Sport BILD.

The Red Devils have had a difficult summer window so far, missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson to Man City and Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, although a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson is expected to be completed after the World Cup.

But midfield remains a priority position to strengthen, and even more so following Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, and the Germany international has now emerged as a potential target at Old Trafford.

Man Utd Lead Race for Felix Nmecha

Felix Nmecha Germany Action Images

Nmecha, who has been described by Julian Nagelsmann as ‘one of the best central midfielders in the world’, shone at the World Cup for Germany before they were surprisingly eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 on penalties.

But the Borussia Dortmund star has attracted the attention of a number of top clubs with his performances, including Man Utd, after they missed out on deals for some of their top targets.

Man City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all understood to be alert to his situation, but it’s Man Utd who are considered to be ‘the main attractions’ for the central midfielder, who came through the academy at Man City, meaning he would count as ‘homegrown’ in the Premier League.

However, Dortmund are not under any pressure to sell the 25-year-old and have set a price of at least €120m (£103m) to allow him to depart the Bundesliga side.

It’s unclear if United would be willing to go so high, but Dortmund are understood to be very confident that Nmecha will be playing for them next season rather than at Old Trafford or anywhere else.

Nmecha Not a Big Money Signing

felix nmecha dortmund borussia via Reuters

While Nmecha has impressed for both Dortmund and Germany in recent times, it’s clear that Dortmund are trying to cash in on the hype around him to get an inflated fee.

If Man Utd weren’t willing to pay the money needed to sign Anderson, who had been publicly earmarked as their top target for months, or Fernandes, who would have been considerably cheaper, then it’s hard to see how they justify paying that much for Nmecha.

While he has the skillset to excel and shine in United’s midfield, there are also several flaws in his game that would need hiding or helping, and the fee just simply isn’t anywhere near good value, making a deal highly unlikely to happen.


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Gary Neville Names Only Team That Can Stop France From Winning the 2026 World Cup

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Gary Neville believes there is only one nation that are capable of stopping France at the 2026 World Cup, following Les Bleus’ ruthless 3-0 demolition of Sweden in the last 32.

Kylian Mbappe struck twice to take his tournament tally to six goals, with Bradley Barcola adding a third as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their imperious form in New Jersey.

France have now beaten Senegal, Iraq and Norway before dispatching Sweden with ease, and Neville only sees the 2022 finalists as the team to beat, but their kryptonite is tipped to come back and haunt them.

Neville Tips Argentina as the Only Side with the Mentality to Stop France

Lionel Messi Argentina celebrates a goal at World Cup 2026 Action Images

Speaking on ITV, Neville singled out Argentina’s experience and resilience as the key factors that could see them stand in France’s way, with the two sides potentially on a collision course later in the tournament.


Bradley Barcola


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“The only team I can see stopping France right now, because of the mentality, is Argentina. Because of the nastiness and the horribleness and their experience.”

The former Manchester United defender did leave the door open for other nations to emerge as contenders, though admitted he’s yet to see enough: “Look, something may emerge. England, Spain, Portugal, we may see a step up. Let’s hope so,” he added. “There’s a long way to go but you look at them now thinking, you’ll have let yourselves down if you don’t win this. Because they’re so far ahead, at the moment, of where the other teams are in terms of level.”

Ian Wright Says Rivals Will Fear France More Than Each Other

Kylian Mbappe (France) celebrates after scoring vs Sweden Dylan Martinez via Action Images via Reuters

Neville also praised France’s front four of Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, warning defenders across the tournament will have nightmares trying to contain them.

“That four that started the game – they will cause nightmares for every single defender in the tournament and I don’t know how they stop that to be fair.”

Ian Wright echoed those sentiments, suggesting France’s upcoming opponents will be more concerned about facing Les Bleus than what they’d be over facing anyone else.


Kylian Mbappe (France)


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“France in this form. They’ll be more worried about playing against France than they’d be worried about playing Spain or Portugal,” the Arsenal legend said. “It’s only if France have a total capitulation, which I can’t see, for them to [not] go on to win it. I can’t see what’s stopping them at the minute.”

France now turn their attention to Paraguay, who stunned Germany in the previous round on penalties, with the winner set to face Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals.

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