Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1
Best Odds: 15/2
La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will lock horns with each other in the Copa del Rey this week. The first leg of the semi-final tie between Los Colchoneros and Lehoiak will be held at the Metropolitano Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 pm UK time on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are one of the biggest clubs in Spain and are doing relatively well at the moment. There is still a chance that they could win La Liga and they are also making progress in the cup competitions.
Diego Simeone’s side are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 50 points from 23 matches. They are 10 points behind leaders and city rivals Real Madrid. While the gap is considerable, all it needs for Atletico to stay in the title race is for them to continue to win and for Real to lose two matches.
Atletico beat Sevilla and Real Madrid in their past two Copa del Rey ties and will fancy their chances of winning against La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals over two legs. The Spanish club will take on Serie A giants Inter Milan in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League this month.
Team News:
Atletico Madrid will be without defender Cesar Azpilicueta and midfielder Thomas Lemar due to knee and Achilles injuries respectively. Jose Maria Gimenez has missed the last two matches with a muscle injury and is unlikely to play. Reinildo Mandava could be brought back into the team in a back-three alongside Mario Hermoso and Axel Witsel. Nahuel Molina, Pablo Barrios and Samuel Lino could start for Diego Simeone’s side as well.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in Spain and are doing well at the moment. While no one expects Athletic to win the La Liga title or even challenge for the championship, they could end up in the UEFA Champions League table in the league this season.
Ernesto Valverde’s side finished eighth in the La Liga table at the moment and could end up bettering that campaign this time around. Zuri-gorriak are fifth in the league standings with 45 points from 23 matches, three points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and five points behind defending champions Barcelona in third. Bilbao could end up third in the league table this season.
Bilbao will head into the Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid on the back of a 4-0 victory over Real Mallorca at home in La Liga. It came after a goalless draw with Cadiz on the road in La Liga which followed a 4-2 victory over Barcelona after extra time in the Copa del Rey.
Team News:
Athletic Bilbao may be able to call upon Nico Williams. He was substituted in the second half against Real Mallorca last week due to a thigh problem. Inaki Williams also picked up a knock against Mallorca and could be fit. Inigo Lekue and Alex Berenguer are likely to be ready to play after recovering from their respective injuries, while goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala is set to replace Unai Simon.
Key Factors to Consider
- Atletico Madrid have won their last three Copa del Rey matches.
- Atletico Madrid have won 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Athletic Bilbao have won their last 5 Copa del Rey games.
- Athletic Bilbao have won 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- Alvaro Morata has scored 18 goals and given 2 assists in 27 matches in all competitions for Atletico Madrid.
Conclusion
Both Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are very good teams and are in the running for a top-four finish in the La Liga table this season. And both the teams will fancy going all the way in the Copa del Rey. Playing at home will give Atletico an advantage in the first leg, and it is very likely that Diego Simeone’s side will pick up all three points from the game.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1
Best Odds: 15/2
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