Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao predictions, betting tips, lineups and free bets (Copa Del Rey - 2nd leg - 11.1.2017)
- Written by Simon Bettarini
Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey semifinals and bookmakers are expecting them to bounce back with a statement win. This article contains our Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao betting preview with the predictions, betting tips, highest odds, starting line-ups, streaming links, bookie promotions and no deposit free bets on tonight's match!
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO BETTING PREVIEW
Barcelona have also slipped to third in La Liga after only scraping a 1-1 draw at Villarreal at the weekend, needing a last-gasp Messi goal to avoid a second straight loss. The Blaugrana were also beaten 2-1 in Bilbao in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash and will try to overturn the deficit tonight. The Catalans look almost unbeatable at home but their defense has been too shaky in recent times. Of course, if the visitors manage to score, Barca will have to score three to progress without extra time.
Jasper Cillessen is the only player injured for the home side. Midfielder Ivan Rakitic could well be rested again and should replaced by Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez or Rafinha. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, of course, will start in midfield. Jeremy Mathieu is back, but is unlikely to break into the rotation for a match like this. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique all trained this week with the club refusing to let their players travel to the FIFA Awards Gala and should all start tonight.
Athletic Bilbao sacrificed possession for precision when the sides met at the San Mames a week ago. The beat Barcelona 2-1, altough they finished with nine men, courtesy of goals scored by Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams in the space of four first-half minutes before Lionel Messi pulled a goal back. The Basque are unbeaten in their last 5 matches in all competitions but they are not so prolific on the road, with only two teams having scored fewer goals on the road in La Liga than the seven in eight games notched up by Bilbao.
Both Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe will be suspended for this return leg after their red cards at San Mames with Markel Susaeta and Javier Eraso likely to take their place. Inaki Williams should return to the side after he was left out against Alaves at the weekend. The other change in the starting lineup. could see Benat replacing Iturraspe in the heart of midfield. Aketxe, De Marcos and Yeray are the only absentees for the away team.
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO PROBABLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Denis, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; Boveda, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Benat, San Jose; Williams, Eraso, Muniain; Aduriz
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO ODDS
| PICK | BEST ODDS | BOOKMAKER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARCELONA | 1.18 with |  | Bet £10, win £11.80 |
| THE DRAW | 8.75 with |  | Bet £10, win £87.50 |
| ATHLETIC BILBAO | 18.00 with |  | Bet £10, win £180.00 |
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTIONS
| OUR PICKS | BEST ODDS | BOOKMAKER |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona -2 Handicap | 2.38 |  |
| 4-1 Correct Score | 14.00 |  |
| Both teams to score | 1.91 |  |
| Neymar anytime goalscorer | 2.00 |  |
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO ONLINE STREAMING
You can watch and bet on BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO live at bet365.com
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