Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona
6th February 2000hrs
Football – Spain – Copa del Rey
Pick Away HT/FT
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 15/8 odds taken 1708 GMT, Tuesday 4 February
Last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up Barcelona will be hoping to book their place in the semi-finals of this famous competition when they take on Gaizka Garitano’s Athletic Bilbao at San Mames this Thursday night. Blaugrana may be away from home, but Quique Setien’s men are the clear favourites to progress. We have some top tips and the best betting odds for this tasty Copa del Rey clash.
Table of Contents
Athletic Bilbao Preview – Can the Lions upset the Spanish champions in the cup?
Athletic Bilbao have not been an easy nut to crack in La Liga this season. Gaizka Garitano’s men have been beaten just five times in the league, winning seven and drawing ten of the other 17. Only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have lost fewer games in Spain’s top tier up until now.
Bilbao have had a tough route into the last 16 of this competition, needing penalties to see off Elche and Tenerife in the last two rounds. In the Round of 32, Bilbao edged a thriller at Tenerife, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal time.
Athletic Bilbao have the potential to be real spoilers in the Copa del Rey this season. The Red-Whites have won this cup a staggering 23 times, with only Barca lifting the trophy on more occasions. However, they last won this tournament way back in the 1983-84 season. Can they change that this year?
Barcelona Preview – Will Barca be too strong for Bilbao at San Mames?
Barcelona have won this competition in four of the last five seasons, narrowly losing to Valencia in the final last term. No team in history have won more Copa del Reys than Barca.
The Spanish champions have had a strange season so far, with Quique Setien replacing Ernesto Valverde at the start of the year. So far, Barca have won four of five league and cup matches under their new boss.
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Barcelona have handed the initiative to rivals Real Madrid in the title race after a poor run of results. Since thrashing Mallorca 5-2 at the Camp Nou back in early December, Blaugrana have won just three of their following seven in La Liga. Barca are now three points behind leaders Real.
Barcelona beat Ibiza 2-1 in their first Copa del Rey match of the season in January, which they followed up with a thumping 5-0 win over Leganes in Catalonia in the last 16. Can Barca make it a third win and book their place in yet another Copa del Rey semi-final?
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Betting Advice
Back in August, Athletic Bilbao shocked the Spanish champions by beating them 1-0 at San Mames in La Liga. Barca dominated possession in Bilbao, but Aritz Aduriz’s 89th-minute goal stole the points for the hosts. Last season, both league matches ended in draws.
Key Facts – Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Betting Tip
- Bilbao have been beaten just twice at home this season
- Barcelona have failed to win any of their last three against Bilbao, losing two and drawing one
- Barca lost their last away match – a 2-0 league defeat at Valencia
Barcelona have struggled against Bilbao in recent times, but Blaugrana should get the win on Thursday. Barca have been leading at half time and full time in their last two games, so put some money on Setien’s troops to be winning at half time and full time in this one at 15/8.
Athletic Bilbao have lost just twice at San Mames this season, failing to score in both affairs. However, they have netted in eight of their 11 league and cup matches on home turf. You can get the away win and both teams to score on Thursday at 3/1.
The best betting odds for Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao to win: 7/2 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Barcelona to win: 3/4 at Bet365
