Read our prediction for Granada CF vs Ath Bilbao below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Granada CF vs Ath Bilbao and you can increase your winnings!
Granada CF vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting tips
Granada will host Athletic Bilbao for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday evening at 9 p.m. The guests won the first leg 1-0, so they have a not to be underestimated advantage for the second leg.
Because the Basques are characterized by a good defense and are difficult to overcome. Before the game Granada vs. Athletic Bilbao odds indicate that there is no favorite for this game. The odds are very balanced, as can be seen from the betting base odds comparison; any tendency seems conceivable.
This also speaks for the fact that both teams are in the midfield in the La Liga table. Granada and Athletic Bilbao are solid teams, work well against the ball and try to switch quickly over and over again. This approach will now be particularly easy to implement by the guests.
Granada:
Especially against Athletic Bilbao you don’t really want to go into such a decisive duel with a 0-1 defeat from the first leg. This applies to Granada, however, so a highly concentrated effort is required to realize the dream of the final.
Granada is doing surprisingly well in La Liga. The team has been unbeaten for three games, is in ninth place and thus higher than many experts would have expected. The team does not stand for champagne football, but does not have to play it to achieve its own goals.
As indicated, the last few games have been good. Real Valladolid and Osasuna were defeated, Granada played 0-0 against Celta Vigo. It is noticeable that the system was changed more often recently, instead of the otherwise mostly used 4-2-3-1, Granada played in the 5-4-1 or even in a 3-4-3. In the beginning – and that will reassure the trainer – each of these systems worked very well.
The offensive of the hosts is still expandable. Granada does not score too many goals and, above all, has no top scorer in its own ranks. Five goals, scored by Antonio Puertas, Darwin Marchis and Carlos Fernandez, are the maximum. In connection with the defensive strength of the Basques on the opposite side before the game Granada vs. Athletic Bilbao our tip that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Because of this, the controlled offensive will be very important. Granada has to be careful that the fast players of the guests around Inaki Williams do not get too many rooms, and accents in the game have to be added to keep the opponent busy. A 1: 0 is enough for the extension, a full offensive is not necessary at least from the start. The current score can be tracked at any time with the livescore option!
There are some problems in terms of personnel. In defense, both Quini, Neyder Lozano and Alex Martinez are injured. In midfield, coach Diego Martinez also has to do without Angel Montoro, which doesn’t make it easier in advance. The system question is also open: 3-4-3 would be an option, but it is more likely that one will return to the parent formation, the 4-2-3-1.
Athletic Bilbao:
After Athletic Bilbao had thrown FC Barcelona out of the competition in a close duel in the quarter-finals, the Basques slowly but surely realized that something was possible in this competition. Given the competition, the title is possible for the traditional club. But first you have to reach the endgame.
And that won’t be easy with a strong Granada. Athletic Bilbao will build on its own defensive, which has already created problems for many opponents. The Basques defend very skilfully, make the spaces narrow and like to drive the enemy to despair.
In addition, the pressing works very well. Old master Aduriz, who can no longer consistently run for 90 minutes, is very rarely found in the starting eleven, rather players like Muniain or Inaki Williams are the initiators of the sometimes very aggressive pressing. The opponents must always be vigilant when Athletic forms.
The last few weeks in the league were mixed for the tenth in the table before a win against Villarreal could be won at the weekend. Athletic Bilbao had ten games without a win before the knots burst in an absolutely typical Bilbao game. Against Villarreal, the team played very disciplined, admitted little and took advantage of an opportunity to 1-0 win.
Before the game Granada vs. Athletic Bilbao odds show that a balanced duel can be expected. Both teams will wait until Granada gradually increases the risk. This approach is absolutely no problem for Bilbao, the guests feel comfortable in this role and trust the good defense.
In addition, chances will automatically arise in the course of the game if the fast attackers get rooms. However, the efficient use of such an opportunity is also important in order to ensure with a hit that this game may already have been decided.
With Oscar de Marcos and Asier Villalibre, only two players are out, otherwise Athletic is available to all players. Unai Nunez and Inigo Lekue should, like Inaki Williams, be back in the starting line-up.
Granada CF vs Ath Bilbao head to head matches
12.02.20 CDR Ath Bilbao Granada CF 1 : 0
01.12.19 LL Ath Bilbao Granada CF 2 : 0
26.02.17 LL Ath Bilbao Granada CF 3 : 1
21.09.16 LL Granada CF Ath Bilbao 1 : 2
03.04.16 LL Ath Bilbao Granada CF 1 : 1