Valencia CF
- Valencia CF are on a two-match winning streak after grinding past Getafe in a scrappy league clash on Sunday and edging Espanyol at home in the previous week.
- That run has put them just behind Athletic in the league standings, with the Basque club on 24 points and Los Che on 23.
- Carlos Corberán has brought greater defensive discipline and pragmatic game management since December 2024.
- They look solid at the back, clinical in front of goal and capable of launching a counterattack that can hurt even the best teams.
- Hugo Duro is Valencia’s main goal threat and the focal point in their 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system.
Athletic Bilbao
- Athletic can be inconsistent but have a slight Copa del Rey edge and more recent cup experience.
- Ernesto Valverde’s men have won a tough cup clash in extra time and lost their last two league games to Sevilla and Mallorca.
- They were thumped 5-0 by Barcelona in the Super Cup but have been effective on the counterattack.
- There are some defensive frailties that Valencia could exploit.
- Valverde typically sets them up in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 system that balances variety and structure.
Head-to-Head
- Athletic won the last cup clash 3-1 at San Mamés in January 2023.
- There’s home advantage for Valencia at Mestalla, while Athletic Bilbao bring more recent cup experience.
Key Players
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Athletic Bilbao:
- Gorka Guruzeta will be one of the main finishers on the field.
- Iñaki Williams is another primary attacking outlet.
- Nico Williams provides pace and direct wing threat.
- Unai Simón could be decisive with his shot-stopping in a tight cup game.
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Valencia:
- Hugo Duro is the focal attacking threat and key to Valencia’s finishing.
Betting Insights
- Athletic Bilbao are 2.92 favourites in the match result market.
- Valencia are 2.48 and the draw is 3.05 in the three-way market.
- Under 2.5 goals is the bookmakers’ favorite at 1.62.
- The odds suggest a very tight, tense affair with tactical approaches from both dugouts.
Prediction
- This looks like a game that could head to extra time and penalties given both teams’ recent inconsistency.
- The bet leans toward under 2.5 goals with a lot of tactical chess expected from Corberán and Valverde.
