Athletic Bilbao will look to beat Real Madrid on Thursday when they face off in the quarter-final round of the Copa del Rey.
Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao)
Key Statistics
Athletic Bilbao have won just one of their last five home games in all competition – 90 minutes only (D2, L3).
The hosts have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home games.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last six games (W5, D10.
They have failed to score in two of their last 19 games in all competitions.
Head to head
Real Madrid have a good record against Bilbao, having won 36 out of the 52 head-to-head meetings between both sides. Athletic Bilbao have won only nine times against the visitors.
Latest performances in all competitions
Athletic Bilbao: W-W-L-W-D
Real Madrid; D-W-W-W-W
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao will look to continue their run in the Copa del Rey when they welcome Real Madrid to Bilbao this Thursday.
The hosts booked their place in this round by defeating Barcelona in an entertaining encounter at the Estadio San Mamés.
Marcelino’s side took the lead in the second minute of the game through Iker Muniain, but Barca equalised through new signing Ferran Torres. In the second half, Inigo Martinez restored Balboa’s lead, but youngster Pedri equalised for the second time for the visitors in the 93rd minute, taking the game to extra time.
However, Iker Muniain restored Bilbao’s lead through the penalty spot, ending Barca’s participation in the tournament and giving the hosts the chance to progress in the competition they have won 23 times in the past.
Marcelino’s men have finished runners-up in the last two campaigns and are currently the second most successful club in the competition behind Barcelona.
After slaying Barca, they will fancy their chances of slaying another Spanish giant on Thursday.
Possible Athletic Bilbao starting line-up
Unai Simon; Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Martinez, Yeray Alvarez, Óscar de Marcos; Unai Vencedor, Dani Garcia, Iker Muniain, Alex Berenguer; Raul Garcia, Inaki Williams.
Injured: Oihan Sancet
Doubtful: Unai Nunez, Asier Villalibre
Suspended: None
Real Madrid
After struggling through the previous round, Real Madrid will look for a more convincing win when they travel to Bilbao on Thursday to face Athletic Club in the quarter-final round of the Copa del Rey.
The Spanish giants have won the competition 19 times in the past, making them the third most successful club in the competitions’ history. However, since the 2013/14 season, they have not won the trophy, and so they will be desperate to win it this time.
They will first have to defeat Bilbao in this round. Carlo Ancelotti’s men qualified for this round by defeating Elche 2-1 in extra time after a goalless 90 minutes.
Although they are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, they have shown signs of weakness in their recent games, failing to keep a clean sheet in seven of their last eight games.
But after winning the hosts in the Spanish Supercup final last month, they will be confident of beating Bilbao again on this occasion.
Possible Real Madrid starting line-up
Thibaut Courtois; Nacho, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Lucas Vazquez; Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema.
Injured: Gareth Bale, Ferland Mendy, Marcelo
Doubtful: Dani Carvajal
Suspended: None
Prediction
Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid
