Football Bet of the Day: Bilbao to secure quarter-final spot

The final three Copa del Rey last-16 ties take place on Thursday, with defending champions Athletic Bilbao's clash against Osasuna at San Mames grabbing our attention.

Bilbao lifted this trophy for the 24th time last season, leaving only Barcelona (31) ahead of them in the all-time records and the holders should have little trouble in seeing off a side who have never lifted this trophy. Read on for our Football Bet of the Day for Thursday, January 16.

Football Odds

Bilbao are enjoying a solid campaign under Spanish tactician Ernesto Valverde, who has guided the club to fourth place in La Liga to leave them eight points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid.

The Red and Whites had put together an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak in all competitions before suffering a 2-0 Supercopa de Espana semi-final defeat to Barca last time out, that match taking place at the King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah.

While disappointed to see their streak ended, Bilbao should be able to pick themselves up quickly and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey for the sixth season in a row.

The Basque outfit have made a habit of performing well in this tournament in recent years, finishing runner-up in 2020 and 2021, reaching the semi-finals in 2022 and 2023, before going all the way in 2024.

A return to the San Mames could bring about the desired response Valverde is after, as his side are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches in all competition and have lost just once in their own backyard this term.

Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna Odds

Bilbao have been defensively strong at home, recording wins to nil in three of their last four assignments by shutting out Real Sociedad, Elfsborg and Villarreal.

The Red and Whites have also kept it tight at the back in the Copa del Rey, having kept clean sheets in six of their last eight matches in the Spanish event.

Visitors Osasuna have it all to do if they want to continue their progress in the competition and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2022/23 edition, when they lost to Real Madrid in the final.

Results have been hard to come by for Vicente Moreno's side of late with just one win in their last five outings, while they have failed to score in two of their last three away fixtures.

Both teams not to score has landed in five of the last eight competitive meetings between these two sides and, given Bilbao's recent form and their affinity for keeping clean sheets, a home win to nil appeals for this Copa del Rey last-16 clash.

Offers

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