Bitesize Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna – 16/01/25

Competition: La Liga

Market: Athletic Bilbao win

Odds: 1/2 @ Pribet

Turning their attention back to Copa del Rey duties on Thursday evening, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Osasuna to the Basque Country.

Starting with the hosts, suffering Super Cup frustration over in the Middle East last week as they eventually fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona, athletic Bilbao will be seeking an immediate response here. Currently battling it out in the Champions League spots, Ernesto Valverde’s men have gained a string of plaudits this season. Signing off 2024 with a 2-1 victory against Osasuna, the Lions will be desperately seeking a repeat outcome in midweek. In fact, the Basque-based outfit have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 16 consecutive appearances across all competitions. With that purple patch stemming all the way back to October 6th, Bilbao have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Last seen at the Estadio San Mames clinching a deserved 2-0 win against Villarreal, Thursday’s hosts have won all of their previous four showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 8-1.

As for the visitors, last seen putting in a toothless performance as they fell to a 1-0 loss away at Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Tumbling down the La Liga table, Vicente Moreno’s side have failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous seven straight showdowns against top-flight opposition. Sacrificing their spot in the top-half of the La Liga standings, the Navarre-based outfit have also failed to record a sole win away from El Sadar since the end of October. Pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they return their attention back to Copa del Rey action on Thursday evening, the midweek guests should be concerned by their most recent meetings against Athletic Bilbao. Signing off 2024 with a 2-1 defeat when they welcomed the Lions to Navarre back on December 21st, Osasuna should have another tricky test on their hands here.

Bet: Athletic Bilbao 1/2 to beat Osasuna in Thursday’s Copa del Rey showdown @ Pribet