The opening leg of the promotion playoff takes place next Saturday, June 3, at 9 p.m. local time, setting the stage for a tightly contested series.
The match features FC Barcelona B against Real Madrid Castilla on the same day, with kickoff at 7 p.m. at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. This clash marks the first round of the promotion playoffs to reach the Second Division and will determine which side advances to battle the winner of the Celtic B – Eldense tie in the next round.
Barca B enters the tie at a moment that is less than ideal. The team guided by Rafael Márquez showed inconsistency late in the season, securing only two victories in the last five fixtures. Still, there is belief that the squad can rebound in the decisive phase as it aims to topple its archrival and push toward the higher tier.
Real Madrid Castilla, coached by Raúl, also faces a challenging spell. The side has stumbled in three of its last five games and has managed just one goal in the previous four. Raúl has to contend with injuries and suspensions ahead of the first leg. Four important players are listed as unavailable: Mario de Luis and Arribas due to injuries, and Theo Zidane and Peter Federico suspended for the match. These absences will force Raúl to look for fresh combinations and depth in the squad as they travel to Barcelona.
For the fixture, Raúl’s lineup is expected to include goalkeeper Luis López, defenders Pablo Ramón, Carrillo, Rafa Marín, Marvel, Obrador, Mario Martín, Álvaro Martín, Dotor, Nico Paz, and Álvaro Rodríguez. Márquez, meanwhile, has chosen Arnau Tenas in goal, with a backline featuring Núñez, Carbonell, Riad, and Diounkou. The midfield would include Casadó, Txus Alba, and Moha, with Cruz and Estanis supporting in the attack alongside Roberto. These selected players reflect both teams’ reliance on a mix of youth talent and seasoned campaigners as they look to set the tone for the tie right from the first whistle.
The winner of this clash advances to face the victor of the Celtic B – Eldense matchup, advancing to a possible date with promotion. The stakes are high, and both outfits will be determined to take a positive result away from home before returning to their own stadiums for the second leg. Fans should expect a battle in midfield, quick transitions, and moments of clinical finishing as teams try to avoid conceding on the road.
When and where is Barça B vs Real Madrid Castilla First RFEF?
Where to watch Barca B vs Real Madrid Castilla in the first RFEF?
TV and channel: where to watch and how to access broadcasts
As has been the case in recent seasons, football in Spain largely airs on pay television, with one match per week carried on GOL. For the ongoing First Federation, streaming platform InStat TV has acquired rights for the next three seasons, providing coverage of the weekly fixtures. To view InStat TV on a television, a Smart TV capable of running the app is required so fans can access the platform’s offerings across competitions.
Streaming: where to watch and how to access services
InStatTV
Across Spain, the First Federation can also be watched online via the official website after registering. Two payment options are available: a one-off annual fee of €59.90 or a monthly plan of €10. Regular-season matches are included, along with promotion and relegation playoffs. The first two matchdays are available free of charge, allowing users to preview the service before committing. The platform also provides on-demand replays and live match-day streaming for those who cannot watch in real time, making it easier for fans to follow results across devices and time zones.
These broadcasting arrangements ensure that supporters in Canada and the United States can stay connected with the league’s developments through international streaming options and local broadcast partners where available. (Source: Goal)