Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Club at the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday at 20:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
Atletico go into this match on a good run of form; they are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches. However, Athletic Club are equally on a rich vein of form; they have avoided defeat in their last three outings.
Atletico will be buoyed by their 1-1 draw against derby rivals and title-chasers Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Diego Simeone demonstrated significant fighting spirit when they salvaged a point in the 3rd minute of stoppage time through a Marcos Llorente goal.
Atletico will switch their attention to the Copa del Rey as they look to overcome a good Athletic Club side and make it into the final. They will focus on leveraging home advantage to take an advantage into the second leg at San Mames.
Bet hereAthletic Club have been through a tougher route to the semi-final, with Ernesto Valverde’s side beating five teams to book their place. They also had to eliminate Barcelona in the quarter-final last month.
This will be the fifth consecutive appearance in the Copa del Rey semi-final for Athletic Club, and they will look to make it into the final at the expense of Atletico and bolster their silverware chances this season.
Injury Report
Diego Simeone will be without a few players ahead of the clash against Athletic Club due to injury. Absent from the clash include attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar, left winger Marcos Paulo, right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, and center-back Hose Maria Gimenez.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have not reported any fresh injury worries ahead of their trip to Madrid to face Atletico on Wednesday.
Prediction
Atletico will win the home leg and take a lead to San Mames for the second leg.
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