Granada vs Athletic Bilbao
5 March 2000hrs
Football – Spain – Copa del Rey
Pick 1-1 Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 5/1 odds taken 1650 GMT, Tuesday 3 March
Granada and Athletic Bilbao meet in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday night. With either Mirandes or Real Sociedad waiting in the Seville final, both sides will fancy their chances of winning the cup this season. Bilbao hold a slender lead in the tie after a 1-0 victory on home soil in mid-February. Who will book their place in the 2020 Copa del Rey final on Thursday night?
Table of Contents
Granada Preview – Can El Grana turn the tie on its head?
Granada made a terrific start to their league season, but they have been in patchy form of late. Nevertheless, after three defeats in four, Diego Martinez’s men have taken seven points from their last three in La Liga. Granada sit ninth with 37 points to their name at the time of writing.
Granada have beaten the likes of L’Hospitalet, Tamaraceite, Badalona, Badajoz and the current holders Valencia to reach the last four. Granada were beaten in Bilbao in the first leg, but Martinez and his side will fancy their chances of turning things around on home turf.
Granada have struggled on the road in recent months, though they did seal an excellent 3-0 win at Osasuna in their last away match. Nonetheless, El Grana have been superb at home, winning four and drawing one of their last five at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.
Athletic Bilbao Preview – Will the Lions see the job through in Granada on Thursday?
Athletic Bilbao are currently just three points behind Granada in La Liga. Bilbao have won eight, lost eight and drawn ten thus far. Most of their points have come at San Mames, though, as Gaizka Garitano’s troops have picked up just one away win in the league up until now. Since beating Tenerife on penalties in the Round of 16, Red-Whites have lost their last two away matches.
Athletic needed penalties to see off Elche and Tenerife in the earlier rounds, but they were terrific in the last eight against the mighty Barcelona. An own goal from Sergio Busquets at the death was enough to give Bilbao a 1-0 win at San Mames and a place in the last four.
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As I mentioned, Athletic Bilbao have struggled on the road this season, but their first four Copa de Rey matches were all away from home before last month’s stunning home win over Barca. Will Garitano’s boys do enough in Granada on Thursday night?
Granada vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Advice
Athletic Bilbao have won the two meetings this season, although both of those victories came at San Mames. In La Liga back in December, a Raul Garcia penalty and a late Yuri strike gave the Lions a comfortable 2-0 win.
Key Facts – Granada vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tip
- Granada have suffered just one home defeat since November
- Athletic have picked up four away wins in this season’s Copa del Rey
- Bilbao have already beaten Granada twice this season – once in the cup, once in the league
It was a tight first leg in Bilbao last month, with Iker Muniain’s first-half goal proving to be difference between the two sides. The pair are pretty evenly matched on paper, and this could be another close encounter. I’m tipping this to end all square in Granada, with the 1-1 draw nicely priced at 5/1.
The best betting odds for Granada vs Athletic Bilbao
Granada to win: 17/10 at Bet365
Draw: 2/1 at Bet365
Athletic Bilbao to win: 9/5 at Bet365
