Athletic Bilbao emerged victorious in their clash against Barcelona, securing a spot in the Spanish Super Cup final. With odds of 59/20, ZetBet is the bookmaker to watch for this exciting match.
Athletic Bilbao, the reigning Copa del Rey holders, will be aiming for their fourth Spanish Super Cup title and their second since the competition adopted its four-team format. Their last triumph came in 2021, and they are determined to add another trophy to their collection.
Under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Bilbao has been on a remarkable run of form, remaining unbeaten in 15 consecutive competitive matches. With six wins and four draws in their last 10 league games, they currently sit in fourth place in La Liga, just two points behind Barcelona in third.
However, Athletic faced a tough challenge in their Copa del Rey opener against fourth-tier Logrones, needing penalties to progress after a goalless 120 minutes. As they prepare for the semifinal clash against Barcelona, they will be hoping to replicate their extra-time victory over the Blaugrana in last season’s Copa del Rey. It’s worth noting that they haven’t defeated Barcelona in regulation time since February 2020.
In terms of team news, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, and Oihan Sancet are all dealing with injury concerns and will undergo assessments before the game. Valverde is expected to make multiple changes to his lineup, with key players like Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, and Yuri Berchiche set to return to the starting XI.
On the other hand, Barcelona also advanced in the Copa del Rey with a comfortable victory over lower-league side Barbastro. However, their recent struggles in La Liga, winning just one of their last seven games, have raised concerns. They currently sit third in the standings, trailing Atletico Madrid by three points and leaders Real Madrid by five.
Barcelona will be looking to secure their 15th Spanish Super Cup title and their second under the current four-team format. They have reached the final in the last two seasons, winning on penalties against Real Betis in 2023 and earning a 2-0 victory over Osasuna in last season’s semifinals.
In terms of team news, Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are included in Barcelona’s squad for the match, but their participation remains uncertain due to registration issues. Hector Fort and Andreas Christensen are expected to be on the bench after recovering from injuries, while Ferran Torres’s fitness is still in doubt. Lamine Yamal is back in the squad after an ankle injury but may not start due to limited training time.
Considering Barcelona’s recent struggles against La Liga opponents and Athletic Bilbao’s strong form, with seven wins in their last nine competitive games within 90 minutes, the Basque side could have the edge in this semifinal clash. Despite bookmakers favoring Barcelona, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Athletic Bilbao come out on top.
So, keep an eye on this exciting matchup between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona as they battle for a place in the Spanish Super Cup final. With the odds in their favor, Athletic Bilbao could be the team to watch.
