Prediction: Sevilla vs Athletic Club

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: 888sport

Oddly enough, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla are set to meet for the third consecutive time in less than a week. Following the first leg of the Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie on Thursday, and a Liga match on Sunday, now both sides are set to clash on Wednesday in the return of leg of this Cup tie. So far, Sevilla hold the edge thanks to their 3-1 away win. Can they close the deal in front of their own fans?

Sevilla

Pablo Machin’s men might be coming off a 2-0 league loss to Athletic Bilbao this past Sunday, but they have been quite strong overall this season. Aside from winning the first leg of this tie by a convincing 4-1 score – something that has them with one-and-a-half foot into the quarterfinals – they have also been one of the best teams in league play. Through the first 19 matches, Sevilla sit rather comfortably in third place of the standings with 33 points (W9, D6, L4) although they’re tied with Real Madrid. To make things even more complicated, their recent form hasn’t been bery good. Machin’s men have only won once in their previous five league matches (W1, D3, L1) and are currently riding a three-game winless run. What once looked like a promising title-run might end up being in “only” a Champions League berth. But winning the Copa del Rey could end up being a pretty nice consolation prize.

Team News

Sevilla do not have many absentees entering this game. Maxime Gonalons and Nolito are the only expected absences for the Nervion-based side.

Athletic Club

Athletic Bilbao should enter this game in high spirits since they’re coming off a 2-0 league win over Sevilla, their same opponents from this tie. However, they also fell to them  (3-1 at home) in the first leg of this Copa del Rey tie; so it’s not like they already have Sevilla’s number or anything even remotely close to that. To make things complicated, they have struggled badly during the current Liga campaign since they sit in 15th place with 22 points – only three above the relegation zone, but also three adrift eighth-placed Real Sociedad. It all depends on how fans want to look at their campaign, but it’s undeniable that they are on the right track at the moment. Barring their Copa del Rey loss last week, Athletic Club are riding a five-game undefeated run in the league (W3, D2) and a two-game winning streak. Can they translate that form to the Cup competition? They certainly need it if they want to reach the competition’s quarterfinals.

Team News

Athletic Club could have several absentees entering this game.

Alejandro Remiro, Raul Garcia, Lekue, Mikel Rico and Aritz Aduriz are all expected to be out of this pivotal contest.

Key Factors to Consider

• Recent struggles aside, Sevilla have looked quite strong at home this season. They have not lost at home since September 16, and their recent draw to Atletico Madrid ended a whopping 10-game winning run at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
• On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao have won just two of their 10 away games this season: W2, D5, L3.
• These side have already met two times this season. The H2H record shows one win for each side, and both games have come in the past seven days.
• Whoever wins this tie, will meet in the quarterfinals with the winner of the matchup between Sporting Gijon and Valencia.

Conclusion

There’s no question Sevilla enter this game as heavy favourites. However, Athletic need to turn things around and they have already proven they can defeat Sevilla. I still expect the hosts to win, but we could see both teams scoring in this one.

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: 888sport