The 2023-24 Copa del Rey final takes place on Saturday and although it’s not between two Spanish giants, Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca should be an entertaining affair. This fixture will take place at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, Spain. 25 points separate these two sides in the LaLiga standings, with Bilbao in fifth spot, while Mallorca is just above the relegation zone in 15th. Athletic will surely be feeling confident too, having smashed their opponents 4-0 back in February on matchday 22. Continue reading for the Copa del Rey final picks.
Before we get into the odds, game preview, and picks, check out the biggest Vegas online soccer betting sites if you plan to put money down on this match.
Bilbao is a heavy favorite to win their 24th Copa del Rey with -150 odds for Saturday’s encounter. Mallorca returns at +380 and has just a 20.83% chance of lifting the trophy. A draw is priced at +245 but of course, the match would need to be settled in extra time and perhaps penalties.
Athletic Bilbao is second in Spain with 23 Copa del Rey titles, also finishing as a runner-up on 16 occasions. This is a club with a rich history of success in the most prominent cup in the country and they’re also no pushover in LaLiga, either. Through 30 matches, Bilbao is in fifth spot in the table and only two points behind Atletico Madrid for the final Champions League berth. They own a 16-8-6 record, scoring 50 times and conceding just 28. Even if The Lions ended up in Europa instead, it would be considered a success.
Bilbao actually knocked out Atletico in the semifinals in a 3-0 victory back in late February, courtesy of goals from Inaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Gorka Guruzeta. They also beat Madrid 1-0 in the opening leg. Needless to say, Ernesto Valverde’s side completely dominated them. As for recent form, The Red and Whites were enjoying a four-game unbeaten run until coming up against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Los Blancos didn’t necessarily outplay Bilbao but they capitalized on their opportunities, with Rodrygo scoring a brace. Athletic managed just three shots on target. Guruzeta is their most lethal figure in the final third, having scored 13 goals and assisting three. He’s netted twice in Copa del Rey, too. Inaki Williams also has nine goals to his name along with two more in the Spanish Cup and two assists. The strike duo will be key in Saturday’s outcome in Seville. You cannot forget Asier Villalibre either though, having bagged six goals in the competition. He’s a key substitute.
To be brutally honest, Mallorca isn’t exactly a club that screams success, so it’s a bit of a surprise they’re even in the showpiece. The Pirates’ Copa del Rey journey saw them beat Real Sociedad in the semis in penalties after a scoreless first leg. Mallorca also took care of Girona in the quarterfinals. This is their first Copa del Rey final since 2022-23, the only season they won the entire competition.
In LaLiga, there hasn’t been much to be happy about, though. Javier Aguirre’s outfit is just six points above safety with a 6-13-11 record, scoring a mere 25 goals in 30 games and allowing 35. Their backline has held their own, but the attack is extremely poor. Abdon Prats’ six league goals are a team-best, while Canadian Cyle Larin has hit the back of the net four times. In the Copa del Rey however, Mallorca is scoring 2.1 goals per match.
Saturday was the same story for Mallorca, settling for a lone point against Valencia in a scoreless stalemate. The Vermillions have only tasted defeat once in their last five games, winning three times during that span across all competitions. For what it’s worth, Mallorca has only one victory in their previous eight meetings with Athletic Bilbao. Yes, several of those games ended level, but that won’t be an option in a final.
While anything can happen in a showpiece, it’s pretty obvious that Bilbao is the stronger team and it’s hard to ignore their track record in finals. I don’t think it will be lopsided, but I do believe Athletic will come out victorious and lift the trophy on Saturday. Take the moneyline.
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