Cultural Leonesa is set to host Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Tuesday. The Segunda División team is determined to pull off an upset against their La Liga rivals. Both teams are coming into this match under different circumstances. Cultural Leonesa managed a 1-1 draw against FC Andorra, while Athletic suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España semi-finals.
Cultural Leonesa’s Recent Performance
Cultural Leonesa’s performance has been mixed. In their last six matches, they have achieved two wins, two draws, and two losses. Currently, they sit 15th in the Segunda División, just three points from the relegation zone. This match presents an opportunity for Cultural to revitalize their season, similar to their previous victory over Levante in the last round of the Copa del Rey.
Defensive Strength
The team boasts a solid defense, having conceded more than one goal in a match just eight times this season. Their defensive capabilities will be crucial as they look to advance to the quarter-finals. Offensively, scoring has been a challenge, averaging less than a goal per game in their last six outings.
Athletic Bilbao’s Title Aspirations
Athletic Bilbao is eager to reclaim the Copa del Rey title that they lost to Barcelona last season. The team is currently placed eighth in La Liga but has only managed one win in their last six matches across all competitions. With a significant gap of 14 points from fourth-placed Atlético Madrid, the Copa del Rey may be their best chance to secure silverware this season.
Historical Edge
Athletic Bilbao has previously dominated their encounters with Cultural Leonesa, winning all three of their past matches in this competition. However, their last meeting was over 18 years ago in November 2004.
Team News and Starting Lineups
Cultural Leonesa comes into this match without any injury concerns following their draw with FC Andorra. Notably, their captain Rodri Suarez and Ruben Sobrino, who were absent previously, are now available for inclusion.
In contrast, Athletic Bilbao will miss several key players due to injuries and suspensions, including Yeray Alvarez and Aymeric Laporte. Despite these setbacks, Athletic may deploy a strong lineup to assert their dominance in this knockout stage.
Possible Starting Lineups
- Cultural Leonesa: Badia; Hinojo, Barzic, Suarez, Garcia; Tresaco, Ojeda, Chacon, Diallo, Riberio; Collado
- Athletic Bilbao: Padilla; Lekue, Paredes, Vivian, Gorosabel; Navarro, Gomez, Sancet, Ruiz de Galarreta, N. Williams; Serrano
Match Prediction
Expect Athletic Bilbao to edge out Cultural Leonesa with a predicted scoreline of 2-0. The Basque side is anticipated to leverage its experience and quality to overcome Cultural’s solid defense.
