Athletic Bilbao vs Levante
11th February 2000hrs
Football – Spain – Copa del Rey
Pick Draw
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 5/2 odds taken 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February
This is the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final match between Athletic Bilbao and Levante.
The winner of this will face either Sevilla or Barcelona in the final.
For this first leg, the bookmakers have the home side as the clear favourites to build an advantage.
Table of Contents
Athletic Bilbao Preview – Bilbao favourites for the first leg
Athletic Bilbao were the surprise winners of the Spanish Super Cup back in mid-January with wins over Real Madrid and Barcelona (aet).
Those matches included Athletic Bilbao have lost just one of their last eight matches (W4 D3).
In the last round of the Copa del Rey Athletic Bilbao claimed a penalty shootout win at Real Betis after having equalized in the 90th minute.
Athletic Bilbao are the 19/20 favourites in the match outright for this fixture* (odds recorded 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February).
It is worth looking at the home form of Athletic Bilbao. They have won just three of their last seven.
They have taken just the one clean sheet in their last four games on home turf.
If we stack up the home and away displays, including their Super Cup fixtures, Athletic Bilbao have not taken a clean sheet in any of their last nine fixtures.
Both teams to score in this fixture is 4/5 which looks reasonable enough* (odds recorded 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February).
Athletic Bilbao have already played host to Levante this season. That was a league fixture back in mid-October.
Athletic Bilbao claimed a 2-0 home win in that fixture.
That took them to a three-match winning streak on home turf against Levante.
Home and away against this particular opponent, Bilbao have won the last four.
Seven of the last eight meetings between the two clubs have gone over 2.5 goals.
Levante Preview – Can Levante stick in there?
Levante may well fancy their chances of sticking in there.
They have gone unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions.
In the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, Levante got themselves a 4-2 win on the road.
So they would probably feel that a draw out of this game would set themselves up with a good chance.
In all competitions, Levante have drawn five of their last seven matches (90 minutes).
A win for Levante in the match outright here, comes in at 14/5, with the draw at 5/2* (odds recorded 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February).
They do currently have the top-scorer in this season’s competition in the form of Sergio Leon with a five-goal haul.
Levante have scored in each of their last fifteen games in all competitions as well.
So it has been an excellent, consistent output from them.
Levante have scored at least two goals in five of their last six.
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The away form of Levante has to come into consideration as well.
They are currently undefeated in their last five games out on the road.
Again, the scoring has been good, netting at least two in their last four.
But there are defensive issues there from them.
Levante have not taken a clean sheet in any of their last seven away games.
Athletic Bilbao vs Levante Betting Advice
We can see a tight fixture being played here which is understandable given the circumstances.
There does not appear to be too much between the two on the night.
The draw in the match outright here has the most appeal for us in Copa del Rey betting at 5/2* (odds recorded 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February).
Key Facts – Athletic Bilbao vs Levante Betting Tip
- Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last seven games at home
- Athletic Bilbao beat Levante 2-0 at home earlier this season in the league
- Levante are unbeaten in nine games (90 minutes)
Levante have proven hard to get the better off, time and time again in their current form, so we think that they stick in there.
There is a second leg to come in this one as well it is worth remembering.
We would push towards the 1-1 correct score as our extended odds option at 11/2* (odds recorded 03:12 GMT Tuesday, 8th February).
The best betting odds for Athletic Bilbao vs Levante
Athletic Bilbao to win: 19/20 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bet365
Levante to win: 14/5 at Bet365
