Form and context

Cieza host Granada CF in the first round of the Copa del Rey at La Arboleja, a ground with an artificial pitch since 2022. The Murcian side, coached by José Miguel Campos, sit in the upper reaches of their group and are unbeaten in October, while Granada arrive on a strong run in all competitions.

Granada have won their last four matches, most recently 2-1 at home to Valladolid on 23 October, and also beat Cadiz 2-0 and Burgos 0-1 away in that sequence.

Team news

• Cieza: Rafa Ortiz, a Granada-born defender in his second season at the club, says he will not celebrate if he scores against the team he grew up supporting. No confirmed team news yet on absences.
• Granada CF: Pacheta has said he wants to see everyone and hinted at a completely different starting eleven, with Raúl Lizoain expected in goal and Pau Casadesús, Diego Pampín, Bene Gimber, Bourama Dembelé, Dylan Rodríguez and Manu Maza among those in line for starts. Pedro Alemañ is injured and Arnáiz picked up a problem against Valladolid, with his absence possibly added to Alemañ's. Alejandro Marqués is still troubled by physical issues.

What the numbers say

• Granada have scored 1.8 goals per game and conceded 1.4 on average across their last 10 matches in all competitions.
• Cieza knocked out Cordoba, then of the third tier, in last season's Copa del Rey and also eliminated Levante.
• Granada's recent run in all competitions: 2-1 Valladolid, 2-0 Cadiz, 0-1 at Burgos, 3-2 at Real Sociedad II, and a 2-3 home defeat to FC Andorra.
• This is the first official meeting between the two clubs.

Our view

Granada's winning momentum and higher division status make them clear favourites, but a heavily rotated side on artificial turf against a Cieza team with a habit of cup upsets keeps this open. Cieza will look to start fast and use set pieces and counterattacks.

Most likely outcome: away win - Granada's four-match winning run and squad depth should outweigh the rotation risk.