Seldom has the Copa del Rey, which has been played for the 118th time in history, been more exciting. Anyone who watched the semi-final draw on January 31, 2020, looked in vain for names like FC Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid or defending champion Valencia CF.

Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Betting Odds and Predictions

Thus, the compelling top favorite is missing from the remaining four teams in the semifinals, although at least the Leones can throw a very striking value into the balance. The club from the Basque Country has won Spain’s most important cup competition 23 times in history – the last time, however, in summer 1984 – 36 years ago.

Now, for the first time since the 2014/15 season, it could go back to the Basque final, because at Athletic Bilbao against Granada, the odds of the bookmakers swing towards the Rojiblancos.

However, it would be a mistake to write off the Nazaríes too early. So far, “El Graná” has only been in the Copa del Rey final in 1959, but the Matagigantes have just thrown out the defending champions Valencia CF from the quarter-finals, which had to be taken into account in the forecast for Athletic Bilbao against Granada.

No less impressive was the performance of the Leones, who beat FC Barcelona 1-0 from Basque San Mamés. Because now there is also a two-leg game, which is why, from the guests’ point of view, a close 1: 2 would be acceptable, we consider it most sustainable to play Tip 1 at Athletic Bilbao against Granada.

Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form

Until 2009, Athletic Bilbao, the proud club from the Basque Country, which even today still successfully implements the goal that was not considered to be competitive in professional football every year, to have only Basque footballers under contract, was the record winner of the Copa del Rey.

Then, however, in summer 2009 it was exactly a 1: 4 final loss to FC Barcelona, ​​with which the Blaugrana was able to break its status as the sole record winner. Both 2012 and 2015 were followed by two more lost finals against the Catalans. In the end, the Leones had always ended prematurely in the former parade competition.

Until the current season, when the Basques made the big coup in the quarter-finals, they kicked out that FC Barcelona 1-0 from the quarter-finals. With Sergio Busquets’ own goal in the third minute of stoppage time, the Zuri-gorriak are only one round away from getting another chance for their 24th overall victory in the Copa del Rey.

FC Barcelona – the previous Basque nemesis in the finals – could also be excluded as opponents as well as the two Madrid flagship clubs or defending champions Valencia CF. In other words, the goal of the first cup victory since 1984 has not been as wide as it is at the moment.

That puts pressure on Gaizka Garitano’s squad, but at least the bookmakers who consider Tip 1 to be the most likely at Athletic Bilbao against Granada believe that the Basque hour could have come in 2020.

The fact that the hospital is at a pleasantly low level speaks for the Leones. Only right-back Óscar de Marcos is currently injured. Even if he was fit, however, Ander Capa was usually preferred, which is why this loss is undoubtedly to be compensated for.

In addition, there is of course the home strength of Bilbao. At San Mamés there were only two lost games in La Liga this season. Conversely, six of the eleven games in front of their own fans – and thus more than half of all matches – were even won.

Only the latest results in league operations are a little worrying. Before the 1-0 surprise victory over Barca, there was a 0-2 defeat at Getafe at home and the dress rehearsal failed again. The Leones lost 2-1 at Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The Basque club has been waiting for another three for eight league games. The Zuri-gorriak won the last three on December 1, 2019. This in turn is a good omen. At the time, the opponent’s name was Granada at the undisputed 2-0 success…

Probable lineup of Athletic Bilbao:
➤ Simón – Beriche – Martínez – Núnez – Álvarez – Capa – Vesga – D. García – Muniain – R. García – Williams

Last games from Athletic Bilbao:

⚽️ 02/09/2020 – Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao 2-1 (La Liga)
⚽️ 02/06/2020 – Athletic Bilbao vs. FC Barcelona 1-0 (Copa del Rey)
⚽️ 02.02.2020 – Athletic Bilbao vs. Getafe 0-2 (La Liga)
⚽️ 01/28/2020 – Tenerife vs. Athletic Bilbao 3: 3 (Copa del Rey)
⚽️ 01/25/2020 – Espanyol Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (La Liga)

Granada – Statistics & current form

The Andalusian club Granada CF only returned to La Liga last summer, when the second-highest division in the country ended up with second place in the table, with which the direct promotion was successful.

Already in the second year after the most recent relegation, the Matagigantes reported back again and, under the success of Diego Martínez Penas, seem to have the potential to bite back on the top for the time being.

After 23 league games, “El Graná” is already nine games won, which, combined with three further draws, leads to a highly confident tenth place in the table. So far, the Nazaríes have collected just one point less than Athletic Bilbao, who are now on the verge of ending their greatest success in Spain’s national football.

After the climber in the quarterfinals finally celebrated a surprising 2-1 victory over Valencia CF, in which double goalscorer Roberto Soldado bought the ticket to the semi-finals in the fourth minute of stoppage time, it could make it back in two good appearances against the Basques for the first time since 1959 great endgame going.

At that time, the Andalusians paid a lot of tuition and went down 4: 4 against the big favorite FC Barcelona. This time, however, all top favorites are already out, which is why “El Graná” should of course give everything to assert itself now.

At least in this first leg between Athletic Bilbao and Granada, the bookmakers’ odds in the direction of the home side are knocking out, which is certainly also due to the fact that the promoted team has so far not performed particularly convincingly in the distance. Only two of the twelve away games in La Liga were won by the Nazaríes. Eight games were even lost.

Nevertheless, the bottom line is that the big picture needs to be assessed. The fact is that it is not until the return leg on March 5, 2020 that it will be decided who will buy the ticket for the grand finale at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, where Granada, as an Andalusian club, would at least have a hint of a home advantage.

This also means that the Matagigantes do not have to go through the wall with their heads in San Mamés and play for victory. Even a draw or a narrow defeat with just one goal difference could be enough in the end to make everything clear in front of their own fans and to get the second chance of winning the cup 61 years after the last Copa del Rey final reached.

Probable lineup of Granada:
➤ Escandell – Neva – Sánchez – Vallejo – Foulquier – Vadillo – Gonalons – Herrera – Díaz – Soldado – Fernández

Last games from Granada:

⚽️ 02/08/2020 – Atletico Madrid vs. Granada 1-0 (La Liga)
⚽️ 04.02.2020 – Granada vs. Valencia 2-1 (Copa del Rey)
⚽️ 02/01/2020 – Granada vs. Espanyol Barcelona 2-1 (La Liga)
⚽️ 01/29/2020 – Badajoz vs. Granada 2: 3 (Copa del Rey)
⚽️ 01/25/2020 – Sevilla vs. Granada 2-0 (La Liga)

Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights

Head to head: 25 – 11 – 11

There have been a total of 47 clashes between Athletic Bilbao and Granada CF so far, and with 25 games won, the Leones lead the head to head balance well ahead of the Matagigantes’ eleven wins. Meanwhile, eleven draws round off the direct comparison.

In La Liga, as already mentioned, the Basques stayed ahead of their own fans on 2 December 2019 in San Mamés with 2: 0. Overall, the Zuri-gorriak have been unbeaten for four competitive games against “El Graná” (three wins, one draw).

Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Betting Odds and Predictions

For Athletic Bilbao against Granada, the prediction must take into account the fact that a knockout game that is played after the return game has its own dynamic. Of course, the Matagigantes would kiss the away win at San Mamés. The promoted player has his strengths in his own stadium – and can rely on this in the second leg on March 5, 2020.

It is all the more important for the team of Diego Martinez to secure a result in the first leg in the Basque Country, which creates the best possible starting position for the second leg in three weeks.

Athletic Bilbao vs Granada Betting odds comparison – Copa del Rey 2020

🔺 Betting Prediction: Athletic Bilbao
🔺 Betting Odds: 1.80
🔺 Betting Prediction: Draw
🔺 Betting Odds: 3.45
🔺 Betting Prediction: Granada
🔺 Betting Odds: 6.00

Key facts – Athletic Bilbao vs Granada tips

🔻 Bilbao won 2-0 at home on December 1, 2019
🔻 Granada lost eight of the twelve games away from the league
🔻 Bilbao has been waiting for another three for eight league games since defeating Granada

We believe that, for example, the Nazaríes would focus clearly on the defensive in a 1-1 draw. Even if the 1: 2 then falls, “El Graná” should still be able to live well with this result.

In our eyes, this favors Athletic Bilbao against Granada Tip 1, especially since the Basques are considered to be very strong at home and have only lost two of their eleven games in front of their own fans in La Liga.

There are odds of up to 1.80 at Athletic Bilbao against Granada that the Leones have a home win in the first leg, which ensures a lot of value. Accordingly, we invest five units in this bet.

🔺 Competition: Copa del Rey
🔺 Date: Feb 12, 2020
🔺 Betting Prediction: 1
🔺 Betting Odds: 1.8
🔺 Stake: 5/10 units