Copa del Rey gets underway for five LaLiga teams

The Copa del Rey 2026/27 gets underway this Tuesday, October 27, for five LaLiga teams. Girona, Espanyol, Elche, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano begin their campaign in a competition that always produces surprises, with the aim of progressing past the first round, played as a single match at the home ground of the lower-division side.

The fixtures will also give a chance to less regular players in LaLiga, as several coaches will use these ties to rotate and share out minutes. Espanyol and Elche have already confirmed their first starting lineups.

Copa del Rey matches today, Tuesday October 27

• 18:30 | Cuarte - Girona
• 19:00 | Sestao River - Espanyol
• 19:00 | UD Pinatar - Elche
• 21:00 | Manacor - Villarreal
• 21:00 | Recreativo de Huelva - Rayo Vallecano

All kick-off times are in Spanish peninsula time. Espanyol, Elche, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano matches can be followed on Movistar Plus+, while Cuarte-Girona will be broadcast by Aragón TV.

Sestao River - Espanyol: confirmed XI

RCD Espanyol

The Espanyol side travel to Las Llanas with a lineup packed with changes compared to their usual LaLiga commitments. The Copa provides an opportunity for players looking to take on a bigger role and show they can earn more minutes during the season.

Espanyol starting XI: Dmitrović; El Hilali, Cabrera, Riedel, Hinojo, Urko, Pol Lozano, Cala, Javi Hernández, Dolan and Marcos.

Among the standout names are Javi Hernández, Cala, Hinojo and Marcos, players who will have the chance to make their case in a tie where the pericos start as favourites, but cannot afford to be complacent.

📋 𝐉𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨́!
▶️ Aquest és l'onze de Manolo González.#CopaDelRey #RCDE pic.twitter.com/cQMfG1fVj4

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) October 27, 2026

UD Pinatar - Elche: confirmed XI

Elche C.F.

The Elche side are also leaning into rotation on their trip to UD Pinatar. The visitors from Elche field a lineup with numerous changes, giving minutes to players who need game time to build competitive rhythm.

Elche starting XI: Iturbe; Josan, Barzic, Kevin J., Bigas, T. Morente, M. Neto, Ali Houary, Diang, E. Ponce and Adam.

The presence of Ezequiel Ponce, Tete Morente, Josan and Adam gives the match a special edge for fans who follow the Elche squad. Their performances could prove important for their hopes of taking on a bigger role in the coming fixtures.

𝐍𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐗𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐨 ⚔️💚@MGS_Seguros #PinatarElche pic.twitter.com/yNQp9PWIj3

— Elche Club de Fútbol (@elchecf) October 27, 2026

Cuarte - Girona: the cup adventure begins

The Girona side are the first LaLiga representative to enter the fray, with their tie against CD Cuarte scheduled for 18:30. The Catalans face a round in which they will have to adapt to a different scenario from the usual one, while avoiding any excess confidence.

Managing the minutes will be one of the key things to watch, especially to see which players make the most of this chance to stake a claim for a bigger role in LaLiga.

Manacor - Villarreal: a chance for rotation

The Villarreal side enter the competition at 21:00 against CD Manacor. The Yellow Submarine must make their superiority count, although the single-match format means they have to stay focused throughout the tie.

The match will also serve to assess the coaching staff's decisions regarding the players who have been logging the most minutes and those who need opportunities. The confirmed lineup will reveal the extent of the rotation.

Recreativo de Huelva - Rayo Vallecano: a duel with history

The Rayo Vallecano side travel to Recreativo de Huelva from 21:00 in one of the most appealing ties of the day. The Madrid outfit will look to impose their status as a top-flight team against a historic rival from Spanish football.