Will the Basques surprise against FCB?
Athletic Bilbao have been handed a difficult draw in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey 2024 with FC Barcelona. Nevertheless, the Basques are rated as an evenly matched opponent by the bookmakers. This assessment is mainly due to Bilbao’s recent run of form. Since October 2023, the traditional club from the Basque Country has only lost a single competitive match.
If the Basque side underpins this run of form against FCB and wins the upcoming cup match, odds of up to 2.87 are offered for an Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona bet on the underdog. The recent home record of the Basque lions also speaks for this
They have won their last six competitive matches at home, including difficult hurdles such as the league match against Atlético Madrid. It is quite possible that Bilbao will continue their winning streak against FCB.
The two clubs met in the Copa del Rey two years ago. On that occasion, Bilbao prevailed in extra time in front of their home crowd. Our Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona prediction is once again aimed at the Basques – and we’re not ruling out extra time or a penalty shootout
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
Bilbao are having a sensational season so far and are in fourth place in the Spanish top flight after 21 matchdays. The Basques have only lost four of these 21 league games. Athletic Bilbao suffered one of these defeats on the last matchday against Valencia FC and, surprisingly, did not even score a goal.
If you take a look at the Basques’ statistics for the season, the result in the Spanish port city was by no means to be expected. After all, the Lions have one of the best offenses in La Liga with 38 goals in 21 matchdays. It was the first competitive game since October 2023 – back then against Barcelona – in which Bilbao failed to score.
Although Bilbao did not put in the best performance last weekend, it is by no means unreasonable to bet on a win for the Basques in the cup tie between the two clubs. Bilbao have reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey four times in a row since 2019. It is quite possible that the Lions will continue this streak against FCB.
Basques impress in front of a home crowd
Home advantage favors the Basques in the cup match against FC Barcelona. Bilbao have a home record of 9-2-1 in all competitions this season. Their only defeat came in their first home game in 2023/24 against Real Madrid, since when Bilbao have gone 11 consecutive competitive games at the Estadio San Mamés without defeat.
There have even been six wins in the last six home games. Bilbao have also impressed with a goal ratio of 2.50 goals per home game. The Basques are also likely to score at least one goal in the upcoming cup match against FCB. Athletic Bilbao have only failed to score twice in their last seven home matches against FCB since February 2019.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde will be without three players due to injury for the cup tie against FCB. In addition, Inaki Williams, a key player for the Lions, has also been called up for the 2024 Africa Cup. Williams was Bilbao’s top scorer this season with eight goals. It is a bitter loss for the traditional club from the Basque country.
Predicted line-up for Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Berchiche, Paredes, Vivian, Lekue – Herrera, Prados – Berenguer, Sancet, Williams – Guruzeta
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
The Catalans are seething with anger after the recent wrong decisions by referees in La Liga – especially head coach Xavi. Arch-rivals Real Madrid have pulled away from FCB with their controversial win against Almeria. The Catalans are “only” in third place and are already eight points behind the top of the table.
Before the championship race continues in La Liga, FCB have a cup match against Bilbao on the agenda. FCB coach Xavi still has to overcome the current personnel worries. The Catalans won against Betis last weekend and even delivered a scoring feast.
However, after taking a two-goal lead at one stage, their opponents Betis came back into the game and even equalized at 2:2. It was only in the closing stages that FCB turned up the heat again, scoring two goals in stoppage time to secure a 4-2 victory on foreign soil. After the exhausting league game, the cup match against Bilbao is therefore not at all convenient
Tired Catalans doomed to failure?
It remains to be seen how FCB will perform against Bilbao during the week after the league game in Sevilla. The match against the Basque side will be FC Barcelona’s seventh competitive match this calendar year. By comparison, Bilbao have “only” played five games so far this calendar year.
Those who are nevertheless inclined to bet on the Catalans in Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona can also use a free bet with the bookmakers. Some bookmakers offer the first free bet after successful account verification – even without a deposit!
FCB coach Xavi will be without at least seven players in the squad for the cup match against Bilbao. As was the case last weekend in Sevilla, Xavi will therefore improvise in order to cope with the enormous strain on his squad in January.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Pena – Balde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Gündogan, de Jong – Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona head-to-head / H2H result
Bilbao and Barcelona meet for the 219th time in total. FCB have won 111 of these 218 encounters so far and thus lead the H2H. Bilbao have won 72 times and there have also been 35 draws between the two clubs. Barcelona have not lost to the Basques since January 2022.
The last time FCB conceded a defeat to Bilbao was in the 2022 Copa del Rey. Bilbao beat the Catalans 3:2 in extra time on that occasion. Since then, however, there have been four defeats in a row against FCB, including the narrow defeat in the first half of the current league season (0:1).
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona betting tip
Bilbao are aiming for the next semi-final in the Copa del Rey. The Basques have always been among the last four teams in the Spanish cup competition in the four previous seasons. The Lions from the Basque Country have even reached the final twice. In 2022, Bilbao even eliminated FCB on their way to the semi-finals.
It was the last H2h between the two clubs in the Copa del Rey. Since then, there have only been four league encounters between Bilbao and Barcelona. In these four encounters, including this season’s league clash, FCB came out on top against the Basques. Nevertheless, Bilbao can be expected to beat Barcelona this time around
Home advantage speaks in favor of the Basques. Bilbao have a 9-2-1 record at home this season, but FCB are also short of substitutes and still have numerous personnel worries. FCB only just scraped a draw against Betis.
With a moderate bet of four units, we dare to bet on the Basques in Athletic Bilbao vs. Bet365 offers the best odds for this. Alternatively, betting on Bilbao to progress is also recommended
