Copa del Rey: Barcelona Set to Deny Athletic Once Again

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao are set to play their second Copa del Rey final in the space of just two weeks as they face Barcelona in the 2021 edition of the competition.

Athletic fell to Basque rivals Real Sociedad in the much-delayed 2020 final earlier this month. And now, the Copa del Rey 2021 betting odds will be significantly against them as they take on a Barcelona side that has been in excellent form.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two storied clubs in the Copa del Rey final since 2009, with Barca winning the previous three quite convincingly. Do the Basques stand any chance of snapping their Copa losing streak to the Catalans?

Talking Points

Barcelona eager to bounce back

Barcelona suffered a setback to their league and cup double dream after losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in El Clasico last weekend. That result leaves Barca in third, two points back of leaders Atletico Madrid with eight games to play.

That loss also snapped a remarkable run of La Liga results for the Catalans. They had gone unbeaten in their last 19 league matches, with 16 wins and three draws. They had also won their last six games in a row, all but one of which was by two or more goals.

Manager Ronald Koeman has settled on a 3-4-2-1 formation which has helped solidify their defence while also getting the best out of Ousmane Dembele. The French forward has been in fine form with four goals in his last eight appearances. He has also created several Copa del Rey 2021 highlights with two goals in four games.

But of course, Lionel Messi is still the heartbeat of the team’s attack. Although, Messi has been silent recently; he has no goals or assists in his last two games, the first time that has happened since early December. However, it’s hard to imagine that drought to go on for much longer.

Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann will also be keen to inflict more heartbreak on Athletic Club. The former Real Sociedad star has a brilliant record against the Basques, with 11 goals and six assists in 24 career appearances against them.

Athletic Bilbao have failed to win in Copa Del Rey 2020 — Athletic Bilbao against Real Sociedad during Copa Del Rey 2020 final

Slumping Athletic need Williams, Muniain

Athletic Bilbao will not head into their second Copa del Rey final in the space of two weeks in the best of form. They are on a run of six games without a win, which includes their painful 1-0 defeat to fierce rivals Real Sociedad in their first Copa final earlier this month.

A few days later, they were once again denied a win by La Real, who scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at home in their second league derby.

Athletic then played out a goalless draw at home against second-from-bottom Deportivo Alaves last weekend, which comes just a few weeks after another home draw against bottom side Eibar.

Granted, Bilbao coach Marcelino made a host of changes against Alaves to hand his key players a rest ahead of their second Copa final against Barcelona.

Athletic have been struggling in attack of late, with star players Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain currently out of form. Williams has not scored since Valentine’s Day while Muniain has scored just once in his last 15 appearances.

Although, Williams seems to raise his game whenever he faces the Blaugrana. He has six goals in 18 games against Barca, the most goals he’s scored against any La Liga club. Two of those goals have come in three matches against Barca this season.

Meanwhile, Muniain has also been outstanding with a goal and two assists in three games against the Catalans.

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Serie A

History

When it comes to the Copa del Rey, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao reign supreme. Barca are the competition’s all-time leaders with 30 titles, while Athletic are second with 23.

Barca have absolutely dominated the competition in recent years. This is their 10th final in the last 13 years, and they have won on six occasions. Although, their last trip to the final in 2019 ended in a 2-1 defeat to Valencia.

Bilbao ended up on the losing side in three of those 10 Barca finals, all by two goals or more. Messi scored in all three finals, including a brace in Barca’s 3-1 win back in 2015.

Overall, Barca and Bilbao have met six times in the Copa del Rey final. Athletic Club have won twice, with their last triumph coming in 1984.

In terms of their recent La Liga meetings, Barca have also dominated. They have won 21 out of their last 29 meetings, with Bilbao winning just twice.

Although, Athletic Club have claimed three victories over Barca in the past two years alone. First, they won 1-0 at home in the league in 2019. Then, they shocked Barca 1-0 in last year’s Copa del Rey semi-finals thanks to a 90^th-minute Williams winner. And earlier this year, they won 3-2 in extra time to lift the Spanish Super Cup.

Betting Tip

	Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao	Barcelona Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.47
	April 18, 03:30 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Barcelona installed as big 1.52 favourites to win their 31st Copa del Rey title. Athletic Bilbao are priced at 5.80 while a draw is 4.00.

While Athletic have had their share of success against Barca in recent meetings, it’s hard to see them coming out on top in this final.

Barcelona will be keen to bounce back from their disappointment in El Clasico, and with the likes of Messi, Dembele, and Griezmann, they should have more than enough firepower to run out comfortable winners over the Basque club.