Osasuna vs Athletic Club predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey Semi-Final 1st Leg. Read on for analysis ahead of the big showdown at what should be a very noisy El Sadar.
| Date | Wednesday 1st March 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | El Sadar |
| Competition | Copa del Rey |
Osasuna vs Athletic Club Preview
The Copa del Rey Semi-Finals kick off this week and while Thursday’s Clasico may be the standout tie, there is only one match that football fans in Pamplona and Bilbao are thinking about. Osasuna and Athletic Club will both see this as a good chance to reach the Final and it promises to be a fiercely competitive tie.
The atmosphere should be electric at El Sadar, as was the case in the Semi-Final when Osasuna came through in Extra Time against Sevilla. They’ve had to battle to reach this point with their last three ties all going past 90 minutes and they were victorious in a penalty shootout against Betis in the Benito Villamarin in the Round of 16. This is Osasuna’s first cup semi-final since the 2004/05 season when they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 over two legs before losing the Final narrowly against Betis.
Osasuna’s cup run has been in some contrast to their league form in recent months. They’ve struggled for goals and had slipped back in terms of their chase for European qualification via the league. However they got a timely boost at the weekend as, despite the considerable rotation and the resting of players, Jagoba Arrasate’s side still managed to travel to Sevilla and leave with 3 goals and 3 points.
Athletic Club were also involved in an entertaining 3-2 affair in their most recent league game. However they were on the wrong end of the scoreline as Girona left San Mames with a surprise victory. Athletic shot themselves in the foot to a large extent with 1st Half own goals from both Oscar de Marcos and Mikel Vesga and Ernesto Valverde will not want any repeat in what is likely to be a tight Semi-Final tie.
The Basque giants are no strangers to this stage of the competition. Indeed it’s the 4th year in a row that they’ve made it this far. They memorably lost two cup Finals in as many weeks in 2021 after the 2020 showdown with neighbours Real Sociedad was delayed due to Covid-19. It hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm for a good cup run though and they’ve already knocked out top flight opposition in the shape of Espanyol and Valencia to reach this stage.
Score Prediction: Osasuna 1-1 Athletic Club
It’s a Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg between two teams who are separated by not a lot of distance and only one point in the current LaLiga standings. Everything points to this being tight and it’s hard to see either side taking a decisive step towards the Final on the night. Expect less goalmouth action than these two sides’ most recent league matches with a draw perhaps the most likely outcome.
PLEASE NOTE – Our Copa del Rey predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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