Athletic Bilbao-Maiorca is the unprecedented King’s Cup final: likely lineups, where to watch it on TV and streaming, and the prediction
An unprecedented final. One of those that also reconciles with soccer. Sure, unattractive to foreign countries-unlike what could have been a Real Madrid-Barcelona, for example-but it is an important spot for those smaller teams that dream of getting to play a final. Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca will do so tonight, in the last act of the King’s Cup.
A double challenge, especially since it allows the winning team to enter next year’s Europa League. But although the dream is mainly of the Majorcan team, which really did not expect to get this far – Athletic is used to – this should remain so. Not only because of what is the Basque’s propensity to play these kinds of matches, but also because of what is the La Liga standings, which see Valverde’s lineup far ahead and even dreaming of something more than the Europa League this year.
Bilbao arrived at this fixture by overcoming Atletico Madrid in the semifinals; Mallorca, on the other hand, got the better of them in the doubleheader against Real Sociedad. In short, even as the two teams present themselves, we can have no doubts about who will be the favorite. A challenge that appears to be definitely addressed, also because Valverde has all the men at his disposal and will therefore send the best possible lineup onto the field. And this is another point in favor of the Basques.
The prediction
Athletic Bilbao’s victory is highly probable, in a match that could also give at least three goals overall. The Cup, from Sevilla, the city chosen for the final, travels expeditiously to Bilbao. And for Mallorca, after an incredible journey, there will remain only the dream of having closely touched the trophy and not having won it.
The likely lineups of Athletic Bilbao-Maiorca
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Prados, Vesga; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.
MAIORCA (3-5-2): Greif; Copete, Nastasic, Raillo; Gonzalez, Samu, Darder, D Rodriguez, Lato; Muriqi, Marin.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
