SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 8 hrs 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
AB
Copa del Rey | Semi-Finals
Feb 11, 2021 at 8pm UK
San Mamés Barria
LL

Athletic Bilbao
1 - 1
Levante

Martinez (58')
Martinez (19'), Garcia (31')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Melero (26')
Coke (35')

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:434504: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Copa del Rey clash between Athletic Bilbao and Levante, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cup specialists Athletic Bilbao will be looking to remain on course for more silverware when they host Levante in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.

The Lions won the Supercopa de Espana last month and are still waiting to face Real Sociedad in last season's rescheduled Copa del Rey final, which is set to be held in April.

Levante have never won any major cups but will see this as a huge opportunity to change that given that they sit above Athletic in the La Liga table.


Match preview

Athletic will consider themselves hugely fortunate to still be in contention for what could technically be back-to-back Copa crowns after surviving a big scare in the last round.

Raul Garcia scored a 94th minute equaliser for Athletic against Real Betis before the Basque side went on to win 4-1 on penalties.

Marcelino's side also played away in the previous two rounds, seeing off Ibiza and Alcoyano - the side that knocked out Real Madrid - by the same 2-1 scoreline.

Levante have had to come through five rounds to make it this far, most recently beating Villarreal 1-0 in extra time in the quarter-finals thanks to Roger Marti's last-gasp goal.

Including their cup victories, the Frogs are now unbeaten in nine matches since early January and are ninth in La Liga with 27 points.

That is two more points than 11th-placed Athletic, who played out a 1-1 draw with Valencia in their most recent league match.

The sides may be battling it out for a place in Europe next season, but for now both teams will be fully focused on progressing in the Copa del Rey.

The second leg of the tie is scheduled to take place at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia on March 4, with the winners over 120 minutes - or potentially more - to face either Barcelona or Sevilla in the final.

Athletic won 2-0 when the sides last met in the league four months ago - the Lions' fourth successive victory over Levante, each of those games in the league.

Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey form: WWW
Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions): WWWLWD

Levante Copa del Rey form: WWWWW
Levante form (all competitions): DDWWWD


Team News

Influential midfielder Iker Muniain missed Athletic's draw with Valencia because of a knock and remains doubtful for this cup tie.

Peru Nolaskoain and Mikel Balenziaga are the home side's confirmed absentees, while Inigo Vicente tested positive for coronavirus last week and is isolating.

Inaki Williams and Asier Villalibre have a combined five goals in their last eight appearances and are expected to lead Athletic's line.

As for the visitors, Cheick Doukoure was back among the subs for the 2-2 draw with Granada on Saturday and could come into the XI here.

Jorge de Frutos recovered from injury to play a part from the bench in that most recent match, meanwhile, leaving Jose Campana as the only confirmed absentee.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Lekue, Alvarez, Martinez, Berchiche; De Marcos, Garcia, Muniain, Berenguer; Villalibre, Garcia

Levante possible starting lineup:
Cardenas; Coke, Postigo, Vezo, Tono; Radoja, Malsa; Son, Rochina, Bardhi; Marti


We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Levante

Athletic Bilbao, two points worse off than Levante in La Liga, will be looking to make home advantage count in this tough-to-call two-legged cup tie.

Marcelino's men have a good record in this fixture and tend to do well in domestic cup competitions, so we are tipping them to take a slender lead into the return match.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data




amp_article__434504 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-09 20:51:30:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 15:37:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .