Ath Bilbao vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: Copa del Rey betting tips on match 2023-04-03 19:00.
This Copa del Rey (CdR) semi-final second leg should allow Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna to quickly put behind them their frustrating scoreless La Liga (LL) draws at the weekend, results that impeded their ambitions for qualifying for European football next season via the league standings. That further emphasises the importance of winning the CdR and securing the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League group stage place that accompanies it.
Athletic need no further motivation to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg and become the second club to qualify for 40 CdR finals (including 23 titles) in a tournament they have almost made their own. Manager Ernesto Valverde, whose only CdR title was with Barcelona as part of their 2017/18 double, was downbeat about their chances but has vowed to “leave everything on the pitch”. One could forgive the boss for feeling a little uninspired after enjoying just one victory from his last seven competitive outings (D2, L4) at such a crucial part of the year.
Courtesy of that 1-0 first leg win at home, Osasuna have one foot in their second CdR final and first since losing the 2004/05 final to Real Betis. Their gritty and determined march through this cup tournament, which saw three of their four prior matches go to extra time or beyond, sparked hopes that they could revive their dwindling LL campaign and make a late season charge for the top six.
But just like their hosts, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Osasuna’s first leg win in early March remains their most recent win across all competitions (D2, L2). Shaky away form also opens the door for Athletic to reverse the result, for not only did Osasuna concede a goal in their three CdR away wins against lower tier opposition, but they have also won just one of their last six LL away trips (D4, L1). That said, a replica of one of the four draws would be enough!
Players to watch: Athletic midfielder Oihan Sancet has scored more goals (four) against Osasuna than any other club. Not only was Osasuna winger Abde Ezzalzouli the only scorer in the first leg, he’s also responsible for delivering their most recent goal in any away game.
Hot stat: Just one of the last eight games involving either club since the first leg saw both teams score on the day.