Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca
Mallorca being one victory away from winning a trophy this season is a development not many people saw coming, considering they’re closer to the La Liga drop zone than in the top 10 this season.
After facing a relatively easy road to the Copa del Rey final, Los Bermellones will undergo their biggest test yet in the form of Athletic Bilbao this Saturday at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla.
The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds are tilted heavily in Athletic Bilbao’s favour because they’re the more experienced and stronger team on paper, and they are firmly in the Champions League race at this point of the 2023-24 campaign.
Talking Points
Nico Williams is a game-time call for Athletic Bilbao
Nico Williams is struggling with a thigh issue, so he was not included in their lineup in Los Leones’ 2-0 loss against Los Blancos on Monday, with the hope that he’ll be available for this Saturday’s cup clash.
The 21-year-old winger is one of the most influential players in the team because of his searing pace and ball handling ability. Nico Williams is Athletic Bilbao’s top playmaker this season with three goals and eight assists.
With Athletic Bilbao on the cusp of winning their first Copa del Rey trophy in four decades, Nico and Inaki Williams vowed to give it their all this weekend. Inaki, like Nico, has been spectacular for Los Leones this term with nine goals and three assists.
Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde has a lot more weapons to choose from compared to Mallorca’s Javier Aguirre. Other than the Williams siblings, Los Leones also has the likes of Gorka Guruzeta and Alex Berenguer, who combine for 19 goals and five assists this season.
Berenguer will take Nico Williams wing spot in the starting XI if he is not 100-per cent fit this weekend.
In other Copa del Rey 2024 updates, Unai Simon should be back as the man between the sticks for Athletic Bilbao after Julen Agirrezabala deputised for him against Real Madrid.
Mallorca are planning a smash-and-grab approach
Head coach Javier Aguirre has deployed a 5-3-2 formation in their recent matches, and that may be the case again on Saturday since they don’t have the same amount of weapons that Los Leones have.
The idea of having such formation to be on the defencive for most of the game via a low block, and if an opportunity arises to go on a counterattack, then you better believe that Mallorca will take it.
Mallorca have threats up front in the form of veteran forwards Vedat Muriqi, Cyle Larin, and Abdon Prats, as the three of them have recorded 12 goals and five assists this season.
However, in their recent games, it is their backline that has done the scoring, as their centre-backs Jose Manuel Copete and Antonio Jose Raillo Arenas netted the winning goals in their 1-0 victories over Girona and Granada in La Liga.
History
Athletic Bilbao dominated Mallorca 4-0 in their previous meeting in La Liga last February, as Yuri Berchiche (brace), Gorka Guruzeta, and Iker Munlain all found the back of the net. Before that game, these two sides have shared the spoils in three straight times.
Los Leones have won 23 trophies in the Copa del Rey, which is the second-highest number in the tournament’s history, only behind Barcelona (31).
However, Athletic Bilbao haven’t won it since 1984, and they have lost on their last six appearances in the final, most recently in 2020-21 against Barcelona in a 4-0 defeat.
On the other hand, Los Bermellones have only won once in 2002-03, defeating Recreativo in the final, although they’ve been to three finals appearances.
Betting Tip
As mentioned, the Copa del Rey 2024 odds are in favour of Athletic Bilbao this weekend. Los Leones are 1.59 favourites to win the cup trophy, while Mallorca are 5.40 underdogs, and a draw after 90 minutes is at 3.46 in the 1X2 market.
While these two sides have had their share of close, low-scoring matches, the 4-0 drubbing that Athletic Bilbao did to Mallorca gives us enough reason to bet on Los Leones.
Furthermore, there should be enough goals to go by in this match, making Total Goal 2-3 at 1.90 and Over 2.25 at 2.09 alternative bets to consider.
However, if you feel that Mallorca could pull off the big upset, then check out Correct Score of 1-0 in their favour given its solid offer of 11.50.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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