Athletic Bilbao vs Granada
12th February 20:00hrs
Football – Spain – Copa del Rey
Pick Bilbao to win
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: 8/11 odds taken 19:53 GMT, Monday 10th January
It is on to the semi-final stage of the Copa del Rey after a shocking quarter-final stage. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid tumbled from the last eight. Athletic Bilbao, conquerors of Barca, kick off the first leg of this semi-final at home against fellow top-flight side Granada.
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Bilbao can earn an advantage at home
A glance at the La Liga standings and there is nothing to choose between these two. Athletic Bilbao are just one point better off than Granada are in mid-table. Bilbao came up with a shock 1-0 home win over Barcelona in the quarter-finals in what was a dramatic finish. Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets put through his own net in the 93rd minute to give Bilbao the victory.
That success is the only win that Athletic Bilbao have taken in their last seven games in all competitions (D4 L2). So it’s not as if they have been in winning form.
Each of the last three wins that they have taken this season have actually been in the cup, as they are really out of winning touch in league action. So far in this season’s Copa del Rey, Athletic Bilbao are W3 D2 (90 minutes). In the two drawn matches (Elche and Tenerife) Bilbao won through via penalty shoot outs.
It may be worth leaning towards both teams to score in the fixture. That is because Bibalo have only managed one clean sheet in their last seven games in all competitions. They have only suffered two home losses all season (all competitions) so that leaves them in pretty good steady. Bilbao holds a W7 D3 L2 record on home soil. They took a 2-0 home win over Granada at the start of December in league action.
Can Granada keep themselves in the tie?
Granada will likely try to keep things as tight as possible on their visit to Bilbao. They pulled off a 2-1 home win over Valencia in the last round of action. There was a dramatic conclusion in that tie as well as Granda won the tie with a 94th-minute penalty kick from Soldado, who got both of their goals in the fixture.
A look at their current form sees Granada with only the two wins taken in their last seven games in all competitions (90 minutes). They didn’t’ get a clean sheet on the board in any of those contests (W2 D2 L3).
The away form for Granada does not stack up wither. They have taken just one road victory in their last thirteen played across all competitions.
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The lone win in that poor run of form was in the Copa del Rey out at Tamaraceite. It has been a Copa del Rey campaign of narrow margins from them.
Granada needed extra time to beat lower-tiered opposition in three of their matches while collecting one-goal margins in the other two.
Their home victory over Valencia in the last round is their only game against a top-flight opponent they have played up to this point in the competition.
Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Betting Advice
There isn’t the away form there to suggest that Granada are going to sneak a win in this first leg. The home win has to take some appeal. That is with a leaning towards both teams to score in the fixture as well because neither have been watertight at the back.
Key Facts – Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Betting Tip
- Athletic Bilbao are W6 D3 L4 in the head to head with Granada
- Athletic Bilbao beat Barcelona in the last round of the cup
- Granada lost 2-0 at Bilbao in a January 2020 league match
Bilbao have been a tough side to beat at home this season, aside from the odd slip here and there. The likelihood is that they will have enough to get over the line. They are unbeaten in three at home against Granada now (W2 D1).
The best betting odds for Athletic Bilbao vs Granada
Athletic Bilbao to win: 3/4 at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at Bet365
Granada: 17/4 at Bet365
