Valencia and Athletic Club set for stalemate in Copa del Rey semifinal second leg

Valencia CF vs Athletic Bilbao - 02/03/2022

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Valencia and Athletic Club kick off their Copa del Rey semifinal second leg on Wednesday night at Mestalla. Neither side could get the upper hand in the first leg as the match finished 1-1.

The Spanish Football Federation did away with the away goals rule in the Copa del Rey, meaning that neither side has an advantage going into the match on Wednesday night. For either Valencia or Athletic Club to progress to the final, they must win the match outright or on penalties.

Valencia have put their eggs in the Copa del Rey basket. Since qualifying for the semifinal on February 2, Los Che have won just once in their last five games in all competitions.

Athletic Club, on the other hand, are chasing La Liga’s top four. The Lions are blowing hot and cold under former Valencia manager Marcelino. Just one of Athletic Club’s last four matches ended as a win. The Lions are coming off of a 4-0 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Marcelino led Valencia to the Copa del Rey trophy in 2019. He was sacked no long after and turned up at Athletic Club. Pep Bordalas is in his first season at Valencia and could cap off a decent campaign with a major trophy.

The first leg between these clubs finished 1-1 as Athletic Club’s Raul Garcia scored in the 37th minute. Valencia’s Hugo Duro levelled the game on 65 minutes. Los Che also had Maxi Gomez sent off and were forced to play 45 minutes with 10 men.

The last four matches between Valencia and Athletic Club finished as draws. Each of their last three matches in all competitions ended 1-1 at full-time. The winner of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal will play either Rayo Vallecano or Real Betis in the tournament showpiece.

Marcelino has no new injuries going into the match on Wednesday night. He has the ability to pick from a full-strength squad. Bordalas has a few names on the injury list, however. Jose Gaya is nursing a hamstring injury and will miss out.

Defender Thierry Correia has a knee injury and is likely to miss the game. Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is a doubt due to a calf strain. Maxi Gomez will miss the game after being sent off in the first leg.

Valencia and Athletic Club have a tendency to draw matches. Each of their last four games finished as stalemates and three straight matches ended 1-1. Wednesday’s game should finish 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes. The teams will need extra-time and possibly penalties.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EsC

Valencia CF Athletic Bilbao 02/03/2022 21:30

354322

X

1 - 1

2.31

16°

3.20

2.60 3.20 2.80 no no no

FT

1 - 0(1 - 0)

-

- - -