Supercopa Showdown: Jeddah Hosts a Clash of Spanish Titans
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Spanish football elite have touched down in Saudi Arabia once again. This week, the King Abdullah Sports City (KASC) in Jeddah plays host to the 2026 edition of the Supercopa de España. With four of Spain’s heavyweights battling for the season’s first piece of major silverware, the desert is about to get a whole lot hotter.3
Under the “Final Four” format, we have two blockbuster semi-finals that could easily be Champions League late-stage matchups. Here is everything you need to know before the first whistle tomorrow.
Semi-Final 1: Flick’s Barca vs. The Basque Wall
Matchup: FC Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao
When: Wednesday, January 7 | 20:00 CET
The “Hansi Flick Revolution” at FC Barcelona faces its first trophy test of 2026. Flick has transformed the Catalans into a high-pressing, vertical machine, currently sitting four points clear at the top of La Liga. They arrive in Jeddah as the defending champions and the favorites to retain their crown.
They face an Athletic Bilbao side that remains one of the most difficult “outs” in cup football. While Bilbao has seen a slight dip in domestic consistency recently, Ernesto Valverde’s men are specialists in these short-tournament formats and will look to exploit any space left by Barca’s high defensive line.
Team News & Injuries
- Barcelona: Flick is nearly at full strength. Pedri has recovered and is expected to start. The only major absentees are Gavi and Andreas Christensen, both still recovering from long-term knee injuries. Interestingly, new arrival Marcus Rashford is in the squad and could be a wild card off the bench.
- Athletic Bilbao: A massive blow for Ernesto Valverde as Aymeric Laporte is ruled out with a severe hamstring injury sustained in December.
Prediction & Odds
Barca’s sheer firepower—led by the sensational Lamine Yamal—should be enough to break down the Bilbao defense.
- Prediction: 3-1 to Barcelona.
- Odds: Barca (1.45) | Draw (4.75) | Bilbao (6.00)
Semi-Final 2: The Xabi Alonso Era Meets the Madrid Derby
Matchup: Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
When: Thursday, January 8 | 20:00 CET
Thursday brings us the most anticipated fixture of the week: the Madrid Derby. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are looking to reclaim their dominance in this competition, but they face a Diego Simeone side that has historically been their Achilles’ heel in Saudi Arabia.
Real Madrid’s squad is a “Who’s Who” of global superstars, but they enter this match with a massive cloud of uncertainty surrounding their biggest star.
Team News & Injuries
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé is out with a knee sprain. On the bright side, captain Dani Carvajal is finally back in the squad after a lengthy layoff. Trent Alexander–Arnold has fully recovered and is called up for the Super Cup
- Atletico Madrid: Simeone has a largely healthy squad. The focus will be on Julián Álvarez to provide the magic in a game where Atletico will likely concede possession and strike on the counter.
Prediction & Odds
This is almost too close to call. If Mbappé plays, Real are the clear favorites. Without him, Atletico’s grit might force this into extra time.
- Prediction: 2-1 to Real Madrid (AET).
- Odds: Real Madrid (2.20) | Draw (3.10) | Atletico Madrid (2.55)
