Copa del Rey Final: Athletic Club vs Mallorca Betting Preview
First Ever Meeting in Copa del Rey Final
Bilbao Going for 24th Copa del Rey Title
Although Athletic Club aren’t usually identified as one of Spain’s top teams, only Barcelona have won more Copa del Rey trophies than Bilbao. On Saturday, Athletic Club have the opportunity to win their 24th Copa del Rey title when they take on Mallorca in Seville. This is Mallorca’s first appearance in the Final since 2003 and they’ll relish this rare opportunity. As we approach Saturday’s Final, we’ll run through the Athletic Club vs Mallorca betting odds.
Athletic Club vs Mallorca
Date, time:
Location: Estadio de la Cartuja, Seville, Spain
Athletic Club vs Mallorca Head-to-Head
This the third chance to take the Athletic Club vs Mallorca betting odds this season but first ever meeting in the Final on the Copa del Rey schedule. In La Liga this season, Athletic Club didn’t concede a goal to Mallorca in two games. Last time these teams met, in February, Yuri Berchiche scored twice in a 4-0 Bilbao win. The reverse fixture finished scoreless and three of the last four meetings have finished level. Athletic Club have lost just one of their last 14 games vs. Mallorca, in all competitions.
Bilbao Looking to Break Final Curse
In seven previous Copa del Rey fixtures this season, Athletic Club have kept five clean sheets. They’ve been, by far, the most impressive team in the competition this season. In the first leg of the Semifinal, Athletic Club ended Atletico Madrid’s 28 game home unbeaten streak.
A few weeks later, Bilbao picked up a 3-0 win at the San Mames to emphatically book their place in the Copa del Rey Final. Even though Athletic Bilbao have frequently appeared in the Copa del Rey Final, they’ve been runners-up in their last six appearances.
In fact, Bilbao haven’t won the Copa del Rey since 1984 despite making three of the last five Finals. This is a momentous occasion for them and their fans and, apart from last Sunday, they’ve been in great form. When Athletic Club took on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rodrygo scored two excellent goals for Real Madrid and the match finished 2-0.
Bilbao had kept clean sheets in each of the previous four matches before that one. Heading into the Copa del Rey final, Gorka Guruzeta has scored three goals in his last three games. The Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, also cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses.
However, Nico, who has scored six goals and provided 12 assists this season overall, missed Sunday’s match with a muscle injury. It’s unclear whether the Spanish international winger will be available for the Copa del Rey Final but he’s joint leader in the competition in assists, with four.
Defender Yeray Alvarez went off injured vs. Real Madrid and is also a doubt. Second string goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala has kept five clean sheets in seven Copa del Rey appearances this season, which leads the competition. Still, expect Spain’s number one keeper, Unai Simon, to start on Saturday.
Mallorca Could Rely on Their Defense
Mallorca enter Saturday’s game having lost just one of their last six, in all competitions. The Mallorca defense has been superb lately, as they’ve conceded just twice in their last five games. Last Saturday, Mallorca went on the road to Valencia in La Liga and managed to come away with an important point. Mallorca are in 15th place in La Liga, six points outside of the relegation zone. Despite their relegation fight, Mallorca have done an excellent job in the Copa del Rey this season.
They were not at all favored to go through to the Final but they managed to defeat Real Sociedad in penalties following draws in both legs. Mallorca also knocked out Girona in the Quarter-Final and should be taken seriously. Along with Athletic Club’s Asier Villalibre, Abdon Prats is joint-leading scorer in this season’s Copa del Rey, with six goals. Prats is also joint-leading scorer for Mallorca in La Liga, despite making just nine starts.
On Saturday, a couple of Mallorca players could miss out due to injury. It’s unlikely midfielder Omar Mascarell will be able to suit up due to a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Slovakian defender Martin Valjent is a doubt. Mallorca are not a high scoring team, they’ve only gotten on the scoresheet twice in one of their last 11 games. They’ll most likely rely on their defense keep them in this match.
Athletic Club vs Mallorca Match Analysis & Odds
Along with beating Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey Semifinal, Athletic Club also knocked out Barcelona in the Quarters. Bilbao are battle tested and that big game experience should come in handy on Saturday. Currently, the Athletic Club vs Mallorca betting odds list the Basque side as -155 favorites. Bilbao opened up at -145 but their odds are getting shorter and if Nico Williams is able to suit up, that trend could continue.
Meanwhile, Mallorca are +460 underdogs and it would be an incredible feat if they’re able to pull off the upset. At the very least, Mallorca will be playing in the Supercopa de España in 2025 and they could seal European qualification with a victory.
A draw (+265) would mean extra time and Athletic Club defeated Barça in extra time in the Quarters. Both previous times these teams have met this season, Athletic Club have dominated possession and Mallorca will likely have to absorb a lot of pressure.
The Copa del Rey final odds list Athletic Club -0.5, -1 at -120 odds at the moment, while Mallorca +0.5, +1 is priced at -110. Coincidentally, Athletic Club were the last team to defeat Mallorca by more than one goal, back in February. Over two goals show -130 odds for Saturday’s Final but it wouldn’t be shocking if this one is low scoring.
