Copa del Rey preview and odds: Villarreal vs Athletic Club

Published on: 14/01/2016

Copa del Rey preview and odds: Villarreal vs Athletic Club (2-3)

January 13, 2016 20:30pm - Camp El Madrigal

Copa del Rey - Second-leg

Villarreal will need to overturn a slender deficit against Athletic Club on Wednesday night if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Villarreal the form team in La Liga

Villarreal have been beaten just once on home soil since May, and will be looking to continue that trend by overcoming a 2-3 score line when they face Athletic Club in the second leg of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. The Yellow Submarine have won eight of their last nine home games in all competitions, having drawn the other.

They come into this game on the back of a 2-0 win against Sporting de Gijon in La Liga that keeps them within striking distance of the leaders in the Spanish title race. No Primera Division team has better form over the last five games than Villarreal.

Athletic Club defending slender lead

The team from Bilbao will start this game with a one goal advantage but are facing one of the strongest home sides in the Spanish top flight. With the away goal rule coming into play, the Basque side will have to manage a tactically challenging situation. If they can win or keep level with the home side then they will progress, but if they lose 1-0 or 2-1, they will be eliminated despite an level aggregate score.

Last time out, Valverde`s men were beaten 2-0 away to Sevilla in the league, and prior to that they were held 2-2 at home by league minnows Las Palmas. They are currently ranked ninth in the league table, two points short of the first European qualification place.

Team news

Mario Gaspar is suspended for the home side after picking up a red card last time out. He will join the injured trio of Juame Costa, Daniele Bonera and Adrian Lopez on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without, Raul Garcia, Ibai, Elustondo and Boveda.

Recent form (League)

Villarreal: WWWWW

Athletic Club: LDWWL

Betting odds and tips

Despite, having a one goal deficit to overcome, Villarreal have the away goal advantage and a fantastic home record. The price of 13/8 from Bet365 for the home side to qualify represents great value.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 14/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (14/01/2016 13:06:29) but are subject to change.