Preview: UD Logrones vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Copa del Rey holders Athletic Bilbao volition beryllium aiming to publication their spot successful the last-16 signifier of the contention erstwhile they instrumentality connected fourth-tier outfit UD Logrones connected Saturday night.

Athletic became 24-time winners of the trophy past play erstwhile they bushed Mallorca successful the final, portion Logrones are bidding to unafraid a spot successful the last 16 of this tourney for the archetypal clip successful their history.

Match preview

Lugrones person lone been successful beingness since 2009, and they presently run successful the 4th tier of Spanish football, having been relegated from the 2nd tier successful 2020-21 and past from the 3rd successful 2022-23.

This is the 4th clip successful their past that they person been contiguous successful the circular of 32 successful the Copa del Rey, but UDL person ne'er progressed to the last-16 of the competition, truthful determination is plentifulness connected the enactment successful this contest.

Miguel Flano's broadside volition bring a five-game unbeaten tally into this match, portion they person recorded 2 standout results successful the Copa del Rey this term, beating Eibar 1-0 astatine the extremity of October earlier overcoming Champions League broadside Girona connected penalties pursuing a goalless gully successful the past circular of the tournament.

Logrones are 4th successful their league table, picking up 31 points from 17 matches, portion they drew 0-0 with Alfaro successful their past lucifer earlier the wintertime break.

It would beryllium 1 of the biggest shocks successful the past of the contention if the hosts could navigate their mode past the holders, but their results successful this season's tourney should basal them successful bully stead.

© Imago

Athletic, meanwhile, recorded a 2-1 triumph implicit Osasuna successful their past lucifer connected December 21, with the effect leaving them connected 36 points from 19 league matches - capable for 4th spot successful the La Liga table.

The Lions are lone 5 points disconnected the leaders Atletico Madrid truthful person to beryllium mentioned arsenic rubric challengers astatine this stage, portion Ernesto Valverde's broadside are 2nd successful the Europa League table, picking up 16 points from six matches.

Athletic are unbeaten successful their past 14 matches successful each competitions, with that tally dating backmost to a 2-1 reverse to Girona astatine the commencement of October, portion arsenic mentioned, they are the holders of this competition.

Indeed, the Basque broadside bushed Mallorca connected penalties successful past year's last to unafraid the trophy for the 24th time, and they are the second-most palmy squad successful the past of the contention down Barcelona (31).

Athletic volition presumption La Liga and the Europa League arsenic their 2 main priorities this season, but they volition surely beryllium determined to debar what would beryllium a daze elimination successful the last-32 signifier of the tournament.

UD Logrones Copa del Rey form:

UD Logrones signifier (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao signifier (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Logrones are expected to person Alvaro Barrero and Jon Madrazo successful their starting broadside connected Saturday, with the brace scoring 5 times betwixt them during the 2024-25 campaign.

Juan Aguero is different subordinate to person enjoyed a beardown play to date, managing 4 goals successful 18 appearances, and the 25-year-old is acceptable to beryllium successful the XI, portion determination is besides apt to beryllium a presumption astatine the backmost for Alvaro Mateo.

As for Athletic, Ander Herrera is retired of the contention owed to a muscular problem, portion Oihan Sancet and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are doubts for the Basque broadside owed to muscular issues of their own.

Head manager Valverde volition marque changes to his accustomed side, particularly arsenic this lucifer comes up of a clash with Barcelona successful the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup connected January 8.

Nico Williams and Inaki Williams could beryllium among those rested, with Alex Berenguer, Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga, Alvaro Djalo and Nico Serrano perchance coming into the starting broadside for the cupful fixture.

UD Logrones imaginable starting lineup:
Daza; Monreal, Iribarren, Mateo, Moreno; Sarriegi, Caballero, Aguero, Gualda; Madrazo, Barrero

We say: UD Logrones 0-3 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic volition not beryllium astatine afloat spot for this match, but caput manager Valverde volition inactive beryllium capable to prime a broadside afloat of quality, and we are uncovering it precise hard to ideate thing different than a comfy triumph for the visitors.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer please click here.

ID:561907:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10599:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's regular email of previews and predictions for each large game!