Close Game Expected as Betis Play Host to Athletic Club
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao - 04/02/2021
3435
A place in the semi-finals is at stake as Betis go up against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night. The hosts have slightly outplayed their guests in La Liga so far this season, with Betis sitting 6pts and four positions above Athletic Club in 7th place.
However, recent history favours Athletic Club as they have won four of their last six encounters with Betis.
Each of those victories for Athletic Club have arrived in their own backyard and Betis have actually secured two wins, one draw and only lost one of their last four home games against Thursday’s guests.
Both clubs head into this Copa del Rey quarter-final in good form. Betis have won five and drawn one of their last six matches, so claim the title of form favourites. Athletic Bilbao have claimed five wins and one defeat from their last six outings and just fall behind Betis in the form guide.
Last time out, Real Betis won 1-0 at home against Osasuna and before that they defeated Real Sociedad 3-1 in the last round of the cup. Athletic Club lost 2-1 at Barcelona in their last match and only narrowly beat Alcoyano 2-1 in their previous Copa del Rey tie.
Under 2.5 goals have been produced in three of the last six meetings between these two clubs, as well as in three of Betis’s last six outings in all competitions. Both teams have scored in each of Athletic Club’s last six fixtures, and in three of Betis’s last four games.
Betis could be without the services of Diego Lainez, Claudio Bravo, Dani Martin and Marc Bartra for the quarter-final tie, while Athletic Club will make the trip to Betis without Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Vicente and Peru Nolaskoain due to injury and self-isolation rules.
With Barcelona the only representative of the ‘big three’ left in this competition, the likes of Real Betis and Athletic Club will fancy their chances of claiming some silverware this season. Betis have won the Copa del Rey twice before, most recently in 2004/05, while Athletic Club have 23 titles to their name but haven’t had their hands on the trophy since 1983/84.
A tight and tense 90-minutes is expected on Thursday. Both teams are in good form and could well end up cancelling each other out and the game ending in a draw.
It’s difficult to see either side keeping a clean sheet in this one as both clubs looks strong going forward, making a final scoreline of 1-1 look realistic.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
EsC
324028
X
1 - 1
2.43
13°
3.25
2.60
3.25
2.88
-1
-1
1
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