It’s just after the Qatar World Cup and the familiar clash between Spanish powerhouses lives on in the domestic cup. Elche CF prepares for a seven o’clock kickoff this afternoon, part of the King’s Cup second round against Guadalajara, staged at the Pedro Escartin Stadium in Alcarria. This marks the first official match under the leadership of Pablo Machín, the newly appointed Elche head coach.
The knockout tournament returns with 28 fixtures, featuring teams from League One and the Second Division testing themselves against sides from lower tiers than the First and Second RFEF. The aim is clear: surprise, dream, and push toward notable results in Spanish football.
Top clubs Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Valencia and Betis will be in action in mid January for the Spanish Super Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Those sides earned byes and will enter the competition in later rounds.
Second round fixtures
Tuesday December 20
Guadalajara vs Elche 19:00
Diocese vs Getafe 19:00
INTERCITY vs Mirandes 19:00
Royal Union vs Mallorca 21:00
Guijuelo vs Valladolid 21:00
Sestao vs Athletic Club Bilbao 21:00
Alcorcon vs Cartagena 21:00
Atlético Paso vs Espanyol 22:00
Wednesday December 21
Merida vs Alavés 19:00
Numancia vs Sporting Gijon 19:00
Levante vs Andorra 19:00
Saguntino vs Rayo Vallecano 19:00
Ibiza Pitiusas Islands vs Eibar 19:00
Arenas Getxo vs Valladolid 21:00
Youth Torremolinos vs Seville 21:00
Arnedo vs Osasuna 21:00
Coria vs Real Sociedad 21:00
UD Logroñés vs Albacete 21:00
Pontevedra vs Tenerife 21:00
Ceuta vs Ibiza 21:00
Thursday December 22
Gernika vs Celtic 19:00
Cacereño vs Girona 19:00
Linares vs Racing Santander 19:00
ELDENSE vs Burgos 19:00
Arenteiro vs Atletico Madrid 21:00
Nastic Tarragona vs Malaga 21:00
La Nucía vs Las Palmas 21:00
Oviedo vs Granada 21:00
Most matches will be broadcast on television. TVE has reserved daily coverage. For Guadalajara against Elche, few Franciverde supporters plan to travel to Alcarria. The holiday season and related expenses also influence attendance. The main arena for Elche supporters remains the league game, with the next big match scheduled for Thursday December 29 at 21:30 when Elche visits Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano stadium.
Most Franjiverdes fans will watch the afternoon clash on television via Movistar+