Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa del Rey

Prediction published on 03/02/2020, 08:48  by James | Modified on 03/02/2020 at 09:48 in Football Predictions

The Copa Del Rey presents another gem of a tie this week when Barcelona travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club. The sacking of Ernesto Valverde in early January will have effects on Barca's season that time will reveal at a later date. His successor, Quique Setien, has had his work cut out trying to clean up the relative mess he inherited. His first loss came early and the first few games under his tutelage have been marked with errors. If that seems like a harsh remark to make about a coach who has won four of his five games in charge, remember the team in question; Barca only settles for the very best. That aforementioned defeat leaves them three points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid in second. The injury Luis Suarez suffered has complicated the selection process but Barca are not short of options. 17-year-old prodigy Ansu Fati is one such option. He scored twice in their 2-1 weekend win over Levante, a game that saw both sides create plenty of chances.

A porous defence is one of the weaknesses Athletic Club will be looking to exploit in this fixture. They are unbeaten in three matches versus Barca, including the shock opening day win secured by an Aduriz overhead special. While they will be confident that they can get a result against a team that has failed to win any of their previous three away fixtures against La Liga opposition, the Basque side are not without their own problems. Six games without a win against La Liga opposition is cause for concern; the flipside is that the only victories during that run have been achieved in the cup. They lost at home on Sunday but it was only their second home defeat of the season. Given their otherwise impressive record at San Mames, we think that a punt on the outsiders to get a result is worthwhile. Back Athletic Bilbao in a double chance bet.