FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF: Preview, Prediction, Lineups | Copa del Rey 2025

On: December 3, 2025 1:17 AM

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FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Match Preview

The Copa del Rey Second Round brings a fascinating contest to the Estadio Municipal Cartagonova as Primera Federación side FC Cartagena hosts La Liga giants Valencia CF.¹

For Valencia, this match marks the beginning of a new era. Newly appointed manager Carlos Corberán takes charge of his second game after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano in his debut just days ago. With the team sitting 12th in La Liga and looking for a spark, the Copa del Rey offers a vital opportunity to build momentum and instill his tactical philosophy.

FC Cartagena, relegated from the Segunda División last season, are currently competing in the Primera Federación (Group 2).² Under head coach Javi Rey, they have had a mixed campaign, currently sitting mid-table with inconsistent form (W-D-L in their last three). However, the Efesé are a dangerous cup side at home, where the atmosphere can be intimidating for visiting top-tier teams.

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Quick Match Info

Fixture: FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF
Competition: Copa del Rey (2nd Round)
Venue: Estadio Municipal Cartagonova, Cartagena (Capacity: 13,745)³
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2025 (Predicted based on typical midweek scheduling following weekend games)⁴
Kickoff Time: 19:00 CET / 18:00 GMT / 23:30 IST (Subject to official confirmation)
Referee: TBC
TV Channel (Spain): Movistar+, Copa del Rey TV

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Match Context

FC Cartagena

League Position: Mid-table in Primera Federación (Group 2).
Form: Inconsistent. They are coming off a 1-0 away win against Betis Deportivo (Betis B), but prior to that, they suffered a 2-0 loss to CE Europa and a 0-2 defeat to Villarreal B.
Key Stat: Cartagena have struggled for consistency at home recently, failing to score in their last home outing against Eldense (0-0).⁵
Cup Pedigree: They famously pushed Valencia to the brink in previous Copa meetings (losing 1-2 in 2022 and 2024), showing they are not afraid of Los Che.⁶

Valencia CF

League Position: 12th in La Liga.⁷
Form: Stuttering. The team has won just one of their last five matches (1-0 vs Levante). The recent 4-0 thrashing by Real Madrid was the final nail for the previous regime, leading to Corberán’s appointment.
Managerial Change: Carlos Corberán will be desperate for his first win. He is expected to demand high intensity despite likely rotation.
Current Challenge: Scoring goals. Aside from the 5-0 win over Maracena in the previous round, Valencia have struggled to find the net consistently in the league.

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Team News

FC Cartagena

Squad: Javi Rey has a mix of experienced veterans and hungry youth. The key man remains 34-year-old striker Alfredo Ortuño, who continues to be their main goal threat.
Midfield: The creativity will likely come from Luismi Redondo (on loan from Andorra) and the veteran Pablo De Blasis, whose set-piece delivery could be crucial on a tight pitch.⁸
Defense: Young center-backs like Imanol Baz and Rubén Serrano will face their biggest test of the season against La Liga forwards.
Injuries: No major new injury concerns reported following the win over Betis B.

Valencia CF

Injuries: Largie Ramazani remains out with a quadriceps injury. Mouctar Diakhaby is a long-term absentee/doubt.
Rotation: Expect heavy rotation from Corberán as he assesses his squad depth.
- Goalkeeper: Stole Dimitrievski is the designated Copa keeper and should start over Mamardashvili.
- Defense: Fringe players like Cenk Özkacar (if available/recalled) or Yarek Gasiorowski could start. Dimitri Foulquier offers experience at right-back.⁹
- Midfield: Hugo Guillamón and André Almeida will likely run the engine room, giving rest to Pepelu and Barrenechea.
- Attack: This is a prime chance for Fran Pérez, Germán Valera, and striker Rafa Mir (or Dani Gómez) to stake a claim for a starting spot in the league.

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Head-to-Head

07 Jan 2024: Cartagena 1–2 Valencia (Copa del Rey – AET)¹⁰
05 Jan 2022: Cartagena 1–2 Valencia (Copa del Rey)¹¹
24 Jul 2021: Valencia 3–2 Cartagena (Friendly)¹²
05 Sep 2020: Valencia 3–1 Cartagena (Friendly)¹³

Analysis: Valencia has won the last four meetings, but the two Copa del Rey clashes were incredibly tight, both ending 1-2 with late drama. Cartagena knows how to make Valencia suffer at the Cartagonova.

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Predicted Lineups

FC Cartagena (4-2-3-1)

GK: Lucho García
DEF: Dani Perejón, Imanol Baz, Rubén Serrano, Nacho Martínez
MID: Pablo Larrea, Alejandro Fidalgo¹⁴
AM: Cedric Teguia (Note: Transferred), so likely Luismi Redondo, Pablo De Blasis, Jairo Izquierdo
ST: Alfredo Ortuño¹⁵

Valencia CF (4-4-2)

GK: Stole Dimitrievski
DEF: Dimitri Foulquier, César Tárrega, Yarek Gasiorowski, Jesús Vázquez
MID: Fran Pérez, Hugo Guillamón, André Almeida, Germán Valera
ST: Rafa Mir, Dani Gómez

FC Cartagena vs Valencia CF — Prediction

While Cartagena will have the home crowd behind them and a history of playing Valencia tough, the “new manager bounce” factor for Valencia cannot be ignored. Carlos Corberán will demand a disciplined, high-energy performance to avoid an upset in his first week.

Cartagena’s recent form (losing to CE Europa and Villarreal B) suggests they are vulnerable against organized opposition. Valencia’s fringe players have higher technical quality and should control the game, though it may remain tight until the final stages.

Score Prediction: FC Cartagena 0–2 Valencia CF

Betting Insights:

Pick: Valencia to Win
Goals: Under 3.5 Goals (Cup ties at Cartagonova tend to be gritty).
Key Player to Watch: Rafa Mir (Valencia) – looking to prove himself to the new manager with a goal.

Final Word

Expect a professional display from Valencia. They cannot afford a slip-up given their precarious league position and recent managerial change. FC Cartagena will fight hard, led by the veteran Ortuño, but likely lack the firepower to trouble a La Liga defense over 90 minutes.

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