Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips: Camp Nou set for goal-filled encounter

18:28, 09 jan 2017
18:28, 09 jan 2017
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Barcelona welcome their conquerors from last Thursday to Camp Nou on Wednesday night as they attempt to overturn a one goal deficit in this Copa del Rey last-16 second leg against Athletic Bilbao.

Try as they did – having been stunned by two first half Bilbao goals – Luis Enrique’s men were unable to restore parity in the first leg, although it has to be that this was probably more to do with a combination of refereeing decisions going against them and just poor luck rather than any failure to create scoring opportunities.

One thing that is becoming more and more evident with this Barcelona team is, for all their attacking prowess, they continue to leave the door open for teams by defending poorly – a 1-1 draw against Villarreal on Sunday was yet more proof that they’re far from solid at the back. With this in mind, the two bets that make most appeal here, especially at the prices, are ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ and ‘Athletic Bilbao to Score Over 0.5 Goals’. 

It’s difficult to see goals not playing a big part in this fixture, particularly with how the first leg has things set up. Barcelona will come forward and attack, that’s a given. However, Bilbao should certainly not be discounted in an attacking sense and are likely to pose just as great a threat as they did last week. Since their lead is a precarious one, the visitors will know that adding another goal is important so they’re fancied to get forward plenty. Even if it is mainly on the counter, Ernesto Valverde’s side have the tools to profit.

Goals certainly aren’t uncommon when these two teams face each other. Four of the last five meetings saw at least three goals go in, while both teams scored in three of the last five. A bet on ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ would have returned a profit on three occasions during that time also.

In truth, it’s hard to see Bilbao frustrating the hosts for too long. Enrique’s men have more than enough about them to get the goals they need to overturn a single goal deficit, but, given both the forward talent in the Bilbao ranks (Aduriz, Williams and Muniain are certainly no mugs) and the manner in which Barcelona continuously defend, it’s easy to see the visitors getting themselves on the score-sheet once again.

Click here to see more Copa del Rey tips.

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