Prediction: Salamanca CF UDS vs Celta Vigo – Copa del Rey
Match preview
Salamanca CF UDS welcome Celta Vigo in the first round of the 2026–27 Copa del Rey, with the fourth-tier hosts looking to cause an upset against La Liga opposition. The match was postponed from its original late-October date following a train crash in Toledo and rescheduled during the international break.
Salamanca are managed by former Athletic Bilbao forward Iker Muniain, who made 560 appearances for the Basque club during his playing career. His side earned promotion from the fifth tier in 2023–24 and have competed in the fourth tier since 2024–25. They are aiming to reach the Copa del Rey second round for only the second time, having previously done so in 2024–25.
Celta arrive with a busy campaign spanning domestic and European football. They sit 11th in La Liga with 13 points from 12 matches, while three points from four Europa League games leave them 27th in the overall table. Before returning to league action against Real Madrid on November 21, Claudio Giraldez’s team must first negotiate this cup tie.
Form and team assessment
Salamanca go into the tie after a 3-1 league victory over Real Avila. They also won 1-0 at home against Gimnastia Segoviana on November 1, offering some recent encouragement at their own ground. The available information does not provide a full run of results or broader scoring and defensive statistics, so those trends are difficult to assess.
Celta’s most recent listed result is a goalless draw with Levante. Their league position reflects a campaign that has produced 13 points from 12 matches, while their European return has so far been three points in four games. The gap in league level gives the visitors a clear advantage on paper, although the supplied information does not detail their away form.
Salamanca’s route to a surprise will likely depend on making the most of their home setting and staying organised against a higher-level opponent. Celta, meanwhile, have the greater competitive experience at the top level, but the information available does not establish how strongly they have performed in attack or defence across recent matches.
Head-to-head record
The teams last met in the Copa del Rey in December 2024, when Celta won 7-0. That result is a significant historical reference, but it does not settle the question of how this rescheduled first-round contest will unfold.
Team news and listed lineups
Salamanca have reported no injury problems for the match, so Muniain could have a full squad available. Larry Opara is expected to lead the attack, with William Pena projected to play in a wide position. Oscar Leon, who has scored twice in 10 appearances this season, is also in line to start.
Ilaix Moriba is available for Celta after withdrawing from the Guinea squad. Sebastian Caceres is unavailable while on international duty with Uruguay, and Borja Iglesias, Carl Starfelt, Jones El Abdellaoui, Alvaro Nunez and Miguel Roman are listed as injured.
The supplied lineups list Salamanca CF UDS as: Ayala; Ucin, Murua, Levrand, Rivas; Cristeto, Alsua; Leon, Txoperena, Pena; Opara. Celta Vigo are listed as: Radu; Rodriguez, Lago, Alonso; Rueda, Febas, Burcio, Carreira; Alvarez, Duran, Swedberg. These are the lineups provided for the preview; no formation details beyond the listed order are confirmed.
Tactical factors
Salamanca’s recent home win and their latest league victory provide a measure of momentum, but the available facts do not identify a specific tactical system or provide detailed performance statistics. Their challenge is to make the contest difficult for Celta without leaving space for the visitors to exploit.
Celta’s previous 7-0 cup win over Salamanca underlines the potential scale of the task for the hosts, while the difference in league divisions also favours the visitors. The absences of several Celta players, including Borja Iglesias and Carl Starfelt, are relevant, but the listed lineup still offers a basis for the expectation that the La Liga side can progress. The exact effect of those absences cannot be established from the information available.
Prediction: Salamanca CF UDS vs Celta Vigo
Predicted score: Salamanca CF UDS 0-4 Celta Vigo.
Celta are favoured by their higher level of competition and by the previous cup meeting, although that 2024 result should not be treated as a guarantee. Salamanca’s recent home success gives them reason to approach the match with confidence, but the gap between the sides makes an away win the more likely outcome on the information provided.
A 4-0 scoreline is a prediction rather than a certainty. Salamanca’s ability to keep the match close will depend on their defensive performance, while Celta will need to make their quality count despite the confirmed absences.