Ourense CF
- Ourense CF host Athletic Bilbao in a historic matchup between the two clubs’ senior teams for the first time in the modern era.
- Ourense have been giant-killers in this year’s Copa del Rey, beating Real Oviedo and Girona, and Athletic will be well aware of the danger the Primera RFEF side pose.
- Ourense boss Daniel Llácer has played a pragmatic style of soccer this season, one of low possession and compact defence, looking to hurt the better teams with set pieces and fast breaks.
- The players have executed the game plan very well and have a proven route to goal in the aerial threat of Álvaro Yuste, whose set-piece goals were key in the victory against Girona, and Omar Ouhdadi, the club’s talisman and constant threat on the counterattack.
- They’ve won five of their last six in all competitions, although their league form in Primera RFEF remains patchy and they hover near the relegation zone.
Athletic Bilbao
- In LaLiga, Athletic are having a decent season in seventh place with 23 points, although they have also suffered some disappointing results of late, suffering a 2 - 0 loss to Celta Vigo and drawing 0 - 0 with PSG in the UEFA Champions League.
- Unai Simón’s brilliant shot-stopping has been key to their success in Europe, including a man-of-the-match performance at the Parc des Princes in their draw with PSG.
Key Players
- Oihan Sancet gives Athletic an attacking focal point and a crafty player in transition, but he might be rotated on Thursday.
- Nico Williams adds speed and creativity on the wide, creating chances and making late runs, while Álex Berenguer has been an expert at scoring the goals when it matters, including his winner against Atlético Madrid in the last round.
- Aymane Jelbat and Aitor Aranzabe add unpredictability to Ourense’s attacking play and have stepped up in big games for the team this term, so they may be the best bet for an anytime scorer in this matchup.
Betting Insights
- Athletic Bilbao are heavy favorites at 1.54, but Ourense CF are a much improved side at 6.8.
- With Ourense sitting deep and Athletic having drawn 0-0 with PSG, under 2.5 goals looks a good option in the total goals market at 1.69, especially in potentially cool, damp conditions in Ourense on Thursday evening.
Prediction
A draw at 4.0 looks to have value here, with the stakes for the clubs in a one-game knockout game also playing into the fact that both teams might hold off.
