The Basques visit a fourth-division team
In the round of the last 32, those four teams that are represented in the “Supercopa de Espana” now also intervene in the Spanish King’s Cup. In addition to the big three of Spanish football, this includes Athletic Bilbao as finalists of the last two cup seasons. The Basques are the heavy favourites for their first cup appearance in 2021/22. Atletico Mancha and Athletico Bilbao face each other on Thursday
Hardly any football fans will be familiar with the hosts. Not surprisingly, since this is the last remaining fourth-division team. Accordingly, the starting situation is also clear and betting odds are offered for a surprise victory of Mancha against Athletic Bilbao at 15.00
The tradition-conscious guests have presented themselves as true cup specialists in the last two years and anything other than a commanding performance by the Marcelino eleven would indeed be surprising. The match kicks off on Thursday evening at 8 p.m.
Mancha – Statistics & current form
The club from Andalusia was only founded in 1984 and accordingly looks back on a very young club history. In May 2016, the club achieved its greatest success to date when it was promoted to the third division. But just one year later, relegation to League Four was the sad certainty.
Daily life means a relegation battle
There was a large-scale restructuring in the Spanish substructure last season, but Mancha still remained in the fourth division. However, the team of the only 35-year-old head coach Pedro Bolanos has to fight hard in the championship. In the 18-team league, five teams are relegated directly, Mancha Real is currently not in a relegation place only because of the direct comparison with Aguilas FC.
The big problem in the underdog’s game is to be found in the offensive. In 16 league games so far, Mancha have scored just ten meagre goals. Only 15 goals conceded basically mean a very good defence. Only in three of the 16 league games was betting on an over 2.5 the right decision. If this trend is confirmed in the David versus Goliath duel, betting odds of just over 2.00 are tempting for the Under 2.5.
Due to the weak offensive performance between Mancha and Athletic Bilbao, it is also possible to predict that not both teams will score. A “win to nil” for the favourites is also an option. However, the Basques should be warned, because in the Andalusian duel against Granada, Mancha celebrated a sensational 1-0 victory on 16 December.
Predicted line-up of Mancha:
Lopito – Nando, del Amo, Perez, Cabello, Viana – Corral, Quesada, Juanma, Arroyo – Enrique
Last matches of Mancha:
Segunda Division RFEF – Group 5
12/19 2021 – Real Murcia 1 – 0 Atletico Mancha Real
Copa del Rey
12/16 2021 – Atletico Mancha Real 1 – 0 Granada
Segunda Division RFEF – Group 5
12/12 2021 – Atletico Mancha Real 1 – 2 Hercules
12/05 2021 – Eldense 0 – 1 Atletico Mancha Real
Copa del Rey
12/01 2021 – Atletico Mancha Real 2 – 1 Inter de Madrid
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
In the space of a few days, Athletic Bilbao could have celebrated two cup triumphs in April 2021. However, the tradition-conscious Basques lost out in both the 2019/20 Copa del Rey final and the 2020/21 final and must continue to wait for their first major trophy since 1983/84. Thanks to their place in the final, however, Marcelino’s side are in the Supercopa de Espana and thus did not have to play in the last 32 of the King’s Cup until then.
Rematched on foreign soil
In the domestic championship, things have been rather mixed for the Basques so far. As tenth in the table, the team is in the midfield of the league. Due to an early game against Real Madrid (narrow 2-1 defeat), Marcelino’s eleven has already played at least one game more than the competition. After all, with only four points behind sixth place, international participation is still within reach.
However, the team needs to get rid of the frequency of point-scoring games. This season, there have already been nine draws in 20 league games, which is the highest number in LaLiga. Especially in away games, the prediction of a draw was a very good choice. No less than seven of the ten guest appearances ended in a draw. In the cup duel, however, this is not to be expected, because the difference in quality is enormous.
Injury worries force rotation
The start to the new year was a happy one with a 3:1 away win at Osasuna. A success that was not necessarily expected due to major personnel problems. The Basques have to do without a large number of players these days. The squad width has been badly affected and some of the regulars have been given a breather against a fourth-division team.
However, this does not change the clear role of the favourites. Bilbao takes this traditional competition very seriously and will not underestimate the crass underdog. Basically, the guests can only beat themselves and the risk with Mancha against Athletic Bilbao on the forecast in favour of the favourite is very limited.
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Agirrezabala – Balenziaga, Martinez, Alvarez, Capa – Serrano, Vesga, Nolaskoain, Nico Williams – Inaki Williams, Sancet
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
LaLiga
01/03 2022 – Osasuna Pamplona 1 – 3 Athletic Bilbao
12/22 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 2 Real Madrid
12/19 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 3 – 2 Real Betis
12/11 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 0 – 1 Sevilla
12/06 2021 – Getafe 0 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
Mancha – Athletic Bilbao Direct comparison / H2H record
The underdogs from Andalusia have only ever played in the lower reaches of Spanish football, making the home cup match against Athletic Bilbao the biggest event in the club’s history so far and therefore the first ever clash between these two sides.
Mancha – Athletic Bilbao Tip
It is precisely for moments like this that the cup competition has such great appeal, because for the host team’s players this match is the highlight of their careers. However, the chances of success are very limited and despite the success in the last round against Granada, another surprise is not to be expected. The team from the Basque Country has proven to be too much of a cup specialist in the recent past for that.
Athletic Club Mancha certainly benefited from being underestimated in the last round. A little understandable, because after all, the players are threatened with relegation to the fifth division. However, anyone can fight and accordingly the game will not be a foregone conclusion, but with the necessary attitude at the favourites, the fairy tale will come to an end. The chances are very good that the bet on the handicap win will also be the right choice for Mancha against Athletic Bilbao.
