Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Copa del Rey holders Athletic Bilbao will continue the defence of their trophy when they welcome Osasuna to San Mames for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash.
Los Leones required penalties to see off Logrones in the previous round, while Los Rojillos edged out Tenerife to seal their place in the last 16.
Match preview
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For the first time in 40 years, Athletic are competing as the Copa del Rey holders after going all the way to beat Mallorca on penalties in last season’s final in Seville.
After prevailing in a shootout to win the trophy, Los Leones began the defence of their trophy in a similar fashion, although they would have been disappointed with the fact they played out a goalless draw in 120 minutes of action against fourth-tier Logrones.
Crucially, Ernesto Valverde’s side held their nerve dispatching four of their five penalties to win the shootout and keep their hopes alive of winning back-to-back Copa del Reys for the first time since 1956.
Athletic followed their third-round cup tie with an unsuccessful trip to Saudi Arabia, where they lost 2-0 to eventual winners Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals, bringing an end to their 15-game unbeaten run.
However, they still have another undefeated streak to defend, having put together a 10-match unbeaten home run in all competitions (W8, D2), including victories in each of their last four outings at San Mames.
Athletic will also be able to take confidence from the 2-1 away victory they recorded against Osasuna in December, fighting back from a goal down to claim all three points thanks to goals from Gorka Guruzeta and Alex Berenguer.
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While Athletic have won the Copa del Rey on 24 occasions, Osasuna are yet to win the coveted trophy despite reaching the final on twice in the 21st century.
Los Rojillos fell to an extra-time defeat in the 2004-05 final against Real Betis, before they gave up a slender lead to lose 2-1 against Real Madrid in the 2022-23 final, leaving their dedicated supporters waiting for their first major trophy.
Vicente Moreno will hope that he is the man to guide Osasuna to Copa del Rey glory, having already steered his side through three rounds of action, beginning with a commanding 5-0 victory over Chiclana in November.
Osasuna survived a major scare in round two, coming from two goals down to beat third-tier Ceuta 3-2, before they went on to claim a narrow 2-1 victory in their most recent cup outing against Tenerife.
Los Rojillos were unable to follow that win with a positive result in Sunday’s league clash with Atletico Madrid, falling to a narrow 1-0 loss at the Metropolitano to leave them in 11th place and five points adrift of the top six.
After experiencing an unsuccessful trip to the capital, Osasuna are now preparing for another difficult away fixture, with Wednesday’s visitors looking to record their first win at San Mames since February 2020.
Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey form:
Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):
Osasuna Copa del Rey form:
Osasuna form (all competitions):
Team News
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Athletic are expected to be without the attacking quality of Oihan Sancet, who is set to miss a third consecutive game with an ankle issue.
Los Leones can no longer call upon the experience of Ander Herrera after the midfielder recently completed a move to South American giants Boca Juniors.
Valverde is set to make at least a couple of changes to the side that started the Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat to Barcelona, with Oscar De Marcos and Nico Williams in contention to feature in Thursday’s lineup.
As for the visitors, Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza is pushing to feature in the matchday squad after returning to team training following a six-game injury absence.
Midfielder Iker Munoz will also be pushing to prove his fitness in time for the last-16 clash after he missed the defeat to Atletico with an injury issue.
Moreno could make a number of changes from Sunday’s loss, with Jesus Areso, Jon Moncayola, Aimar Oroz and Ante Budimir all pushing for starting berths.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Prados, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Osasuna possible starting lineup:Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Bretones; Torro, Moncayola; Pena, Oroz, Ru. Garcia; Budimir
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna
San Mames is widely regarded as one of the toughest grounds in Spain for teams to visit, and we think Athletic will make full use of home advantage at their Catherdal to get the better of an Osasuna side that have failed to win their four away games against top-flight opposition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
