Ath Bilbao vs Mallorca prediction: SPAIN: Copa del Rey betting tips on match 2024-04-05 20:00.
[p]The 2023/24 Copa del Rey final sees Athletic Bilbao take on Mallorca with honour, silverware and a UEFA Europa League spot at stake. Athletic will hope they don’t need that slot as they’re chasing fourth place in La Liga but a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid was a setback after four competitive games unbeaten (W3, D1). It was also a run that started with the 3-0 victory over AtlĂ©tico in the second leg of the semi-final – their fifth clean sheet in this competition this term.[/p]
[p]Boasting impressive Copa pedigree, Athletic played in the very first final in 1903, beating Madrid FC (now Real Madrid) 3-2 and only Barcelona (31) have won this title more often than them (23). Two of their 39 final appearances were runners-up finishes in the last four seasons, and they’ll relish their first appearance in the showpiece final with fans present since 2014/15.[/p]
[p]Standing in the way of title number 24 are Mallorca, the surprise package who’ve earned their place by seeing off Girona in the quarter-finals and Real Sociedad on penalties in the semis. They’re not complete strangers to this stage either, as they were champions in 2002/03, beating Recreativo 3-0 and were twice runners-up in the 1990s to Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.[/p]
[p]This cup run has been the highlight of their season given they’ve spent most of the campaign entrenched in the bottom half of the La Liga standings, but losing only one of their last six competitive fixtures (W3, D2) has lifted them clear of the relegation zone. That should have boosted their confidence and allowed them to focus clearly on the biggest game in the club’s recent history, as they seek a first H2H win in five attempts (D3, L1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Iñaki Williams struck in two of Athletic’s last three Copa games with two of his last four goals in any competition opening the scoring inside the first 15 minutes. Cyle Larin netted in three of Mallorca’s last five Copa fixtures including match-openers against Tenerife (round of 16) and Girona (quarter-finals).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of the last six Copa finals saw at least one goal after half-time.[/p]