Osasuna-Athletic Bilbao is a match in the first leg of the King’s Cup semi-finals and will be played on Wednesday at 21:00: free to air TV, fixtures, predictions.
To see Osasuna among the four semi-finalists of the King’s Cup is surprising, but only up to a point. Jagoba Arrasate, on the Pamplona club’s bench since 2018, has not only brought the Rojillos back to the top flight at their first attempt, but has also allowed them to explore a new dimension, as evidenced by their three top ten finishes in a row in La Liga, often close to the European zone.
Results that certify the excellent work of the Basque coach, who now dreams of leading Osasuna into the national cup final for the first time since 2005. The Navarre outfit can concentrate on the two semi-finals without being too distracted by the championship: in the current La Liga they have already conquered 33 points, they are just one length away from seventh place, which could mean qualification for the Conference League, and they are in no danger of being sucked into the fight not to be relegated. To reach the penultimate act, where they will face Athletic Bilbao – who, on the other hand, are regulars in the final rounds of this event, having played five finals since 2009 – they had to overcome the two teams from Seville. First they eliminated holders Betis on penalties, then won 2-1 over Jorge Sampaoli’s red and white in extra time.
Tough time for Athletic
The last league victory came against Sevilla, ending a five-match winless streak. Last Sunday it was Ezzalzouli who, five minutes before the referee blew the whistle, gave Osasuna three platinum points by scoring the final goal in the 2-3 win at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Valverde
An underwhelming season for Athletic, who risk missing out on European Cup qualification once again. Ernesto Valverde’s team is ninth, has fewer points than Osasuna and cannot find continuity. In the last round of La Liga, the red and whites capitulated even at the San Mamès with Girona (2-3), the second consecutive defeat after Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Valverde will be without starting goalkeeper Unai Simon in the first leg and there is also some doubt over the presence of Nico Williams in attack. Standard formation for Arrasate instead.
The prediction
Two teams who have so far shown that they are on an equal footing – as the league table itself demonstrates – although on paper Valverde’s side is certainly the stronger. However, Osasuna should take advantage of the field factor and avoid defeat. A draw cannot be ruled out. Both are likely to score at least one goal each
The Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao line-up
- OSASUNA (4-3-3): Herrera; Sanchez, David Garcia, Unai Garcia, Moncayola; Oroz, Torró, Gómez; Ávila, Budimir, Ezzalzouli.
- ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-3-3): Agirrezabala; de Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Sancet, Vesga, Muniain; N. Williams, I. Williams, Berenguer.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
