The storied charm of Copa del Rey returns to the fore as Cartagena welcomes Valencia to the vibrant Cartagonova Stadium in Cartagena for Round 2 of Spain’s most celebrated cup competition. Kicking off at 22:00 CEST on December 4, 2025, this fixture draws sharp lines between ambition and tradition, with underdogs Cartagena seeking to carve a historic feat against the proven might of Valencia. Under the pragmatic leadership of Javi Rey, Cartagena hope to leverage home support, while Carlos Corberán’s Valencia enter as favorites, their continental pedigree unmistakable on paper and pitch alike.
Amid the tactical duels, keep your eyes on Cartagena’s creative spark in midfield and the relentless pressing from Valencia’s Hugo Duro up front. While neither side relies upon goalkeepers as their sole stars, these two outfield protagonists are expected to dictate much of the tempo and narrative.
Hot stat: Valencia have conceded only 3 goals in their last 5 matches across all competitions, boasting remarkable defensive resilience an aspect likely to be tested but not broken tonight.
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Cartagena vs Valencia predictions
My best bet: Valencia to win (full time result).
Valencia’s superiority is consistent and statistically grounded their higher pass accuracy, control of possession, and ability to limit costly errors over the last five matches position them as clear victors. Cartagena’s fighting spirit remains their greatest equalizer, yet their recent struggles in attack and susceptibility to conceding under pressure suggest the gap may simply be too wide.
Both teams favor the 4-2-3-1 structure, but Valencia stand out in both ball retention (averaging over 65% passing accuracy), and discipline only 8 yellow cards in their last five (compared to Cartagena’s 14). Cartagena’s aggressive style, reflected in their fouls and card tally, hints at potential disruptions; Valencia’s measured build-up should eventually prevail. Expect fouls and tactical pauses, but few fireworks in front of Cartagena’s goal.
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 8.5
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Historically, these teams have rarely met in competitive settings, but recent encounters underline a clear technical gulf. Valencia’s fluid passing and pressing game has historically overwhelmed Cartagena’s more direct, physical approach. While Cartagena can exploit the set piece witness their abundance of corners they rarely threaten in open play when up against top-flight defences. The psychological barrier of facing a La Liga club may prove just as decisive as any tactical nuance tonight.
🚨Read our full Cartagena vs Valencia stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Valencia lost only 1 of their last 8 away matches in the Copa del Rey.
- Hugo Duro contributed to 2 key plays per match in the last five outings.
- Cartagena received 14 yellow cards over their past five matches, signaling a likely aggressive intent tonight.
- Valencia maintained over 1100 successful passes across their last five fixtures Cartagena, by contrast, failed to surpass the 900 mark.
- Three of Cartagena’s last five matches have seen under 2.5 goals.
Cartagena vs Valencia score prediction: 0-2
Expect Valencia to dominate possession and gradually wear down the Cartagena midfield. Hugo Duro’s movement and finishing in the box paired with André Almeida’s orchestration should prove too much for Cartagena’s defensive line to contain. While Cartagena’s energy is certain to resonate early with the home support, Valencia’s methodical approach should see them clinch a two-goal victory, likely without conceding.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Valencia the favourite
| Moneyline | Cartagena 5.25 | Valencia 1.67 |
|---|---|
| Draw | 3.60 |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.15 | Under 2.5 1.70 |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.10 | No 1.78 |
The bookmakers’ odds illustrate Valencia’s clear status as favorites, reflecting their higher league standing and depth in squad quality. Cartagena’s odds lengthen due to their inconsistent results and lower conversion rate in front of goal. The market’s inclination toward Under 2.5 goals further reinforces the expectation of a match dictated by Valencia’s tempo, with few breakthrough moments allowed to the underdogs. For punters seeking value, the away win and under goals present the strongest rationale.
Cartagena vs Valencia Over/Under Analysis
- 4 of the last 5 Cartagena matches finished with under 2.5 total goals.
- Valencia kept a clean sheet in 2 of their last 3 fixtures.
- Cartagena averaged just 0.6 goals per match in the run-up to this round.
- The last three direct cup meetings between La Liga and lower-tier sides on this ground resulted in under 2.5 goals.
Cartagena Preview
Cartagena step into this challenge driven by recent mixed fortunes: a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Real Betis B, followed by a goalless draw against Eldense and defeats that exposed their vulnerabilities in both transition and finishing. Their 4-2-3-1 formation remains constant, but chance creation has dwindled, with only 3 goals scored in their last five. The team’s defensive numbers especially 14 yellow cards suggest nerves may get the better of them when pressed by higher-class opponents. Set pieces and corners are likely avenues of hope, yet the lack of fluidity in open play poses a major concern heading into a cup night of this magnitude.
Valencia Preview
Valencia approach this tie unbeaten in their last three most recently drawing 1-1 away at Rayo Vallecano and narrowly defeating Levante 1-0. Their tactical setup provides for a dominant midfield axis and dynamic wide play, especially with Hugo Duro and Diego López as attacking threats. Carlos Corberán has favored a sophisticated transition game, focused on structured buildup and disciplined pressing from midfield. The team’s ability to convert possession into territorial dominance while keeping tight defensive lines gives them control on both ends. Should they execute their high-press early, expect Cartagena to face sustained pressure and a defensive workload that may crack under Valencia’s persistent probing.
Valencia possible starting eleven
- GK: Stole Dimitrievski
- DF: José Gayà, Thierry Correia, César Tárrega Requeni, José Copete
- MF: André Almeida, José Luis García Vayá, Javi Guerra, Luis Rioja
- FW: Hugo Duro, Diego López Noguerol

Cartagena. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
As the TipsGG editorial team, we are confident in tipping Valencia as the primary pick for victory. The statistics speak for themselves: better current form, a deeper roster, and markedly superior technical metrics. While the Copa del Rey is famed for its occasional upsets, the gap in quality and match management heavily favors Carlos Corberán’s men. Our AI prediction engine calculates a win probability of 59% for Valencia, compared to 18% for Cartagena and 23% for a draw. Expect Valencia’s discipline and efficiency in the final third to ultimately separate the sides.
How to watch Cartagena vs Valencia
When?
Kick-off time: 22:00 CEST, December 4, 2025.
Where?
Cartagonova Stadium, Cartagena, Spain
How to watch: Streaming: XXXX
Favorite: Valencia
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