Athletic Bilbao Mirandes Odds : Fernando Llorente to fire once more
February 7, 2012 · 0 Comments
Athletic Bilbao will be looking to book their place in the Copa del Rey final this evening as they host Mirandes in the second-leg of their semi-final encounter as Bet365 announce they have a live stream of the game tonight in HD.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men lead 2-1 from the first game – two goals from Fernando Llorente handed them a priceless victory last week – and many expect them to get the job done this evening.
Having said that Ander Lambarri Camino’s late goal for Mirandes in the first-leg has given the away side hope.
With just one goal between the two sides going into tonight’s eagerly anticipated encounter, it really is all to play for.
There is no getting away from the fact that La Liga side Bilbao – who have lost just one of their last 12 games across all competitions – are favourites over a Mirandes side that currently sit top of the Segunda B table.
Mirandes’ form hasn’t been fantastic lately either. Including the defeat in the first-leg of this semi-final tie, they have lost three of their last six games.
They also dropped point at home to Amorebieta on Saturday in the league, with perhaps tonight’s trip to Bilbao acting as a distraction. This simply highlights how important tonight’s fixture is to them though.
Nobody would have expected Mirandes to make it this far in Copa del Rey – they are only the second ever Segunda B side to make it this far – and although they deserve credit even if they get hammered this evening, they will not want the journey to end here.
With Barcelona or Valencia the opponent in the final, Mirandes – and Bilbao for that matter – have plenty of motivation to get through tonight’s semi-final tie with victory.
As mentioned though, it is Bilbao – with their home advantage – that are expected to progress. Their form in front of their home fans is very good this season too, with only one defeat at San Mamés.
An early goal for the visitors would throw this tie wide open though and it seems fair to say that there are plenty of twists and turns to come before the first 2012 Copa del Rey finalists are decided.
Bilbao host Mirandes from 9pm this evening.
Tags: Athletic Bilbao Mirandes
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