Football Bet of the Day: Don't expect Copa cruise

Cup clash could go all the way

Levante v Athletic Club
Thursday 04 March, 20:00
Live on Premier Sports 1

Wolfsburg did finally concede a goal last night, having gone eight games without doing so, and in the end they leaked two goals in a 2-0 reverse at RB Leipzig. That kept us under the 2.5 goals line, and we're in profit for the week.

We'll head to Spain now, because after Barcelona's remarkable Copa del Rey comeback against Sevilla last night, we have to work out who'll face them in the final. Levante are locked together with Athletic Club at 1-1, and I think it might take more than the 90 minutes to separate them.

Basque giants Athletic Club are in the crazy position of potentially playing two cup finals in the same competition in the same month. They reached last season's final against old foes Real Sociedad, but the two clubs agreed to postpone the showpiece event to give fans the maximum opportunity to attend. If they are successful tonight, Athletic Club could end up facing Real Sociedad in the 2020 final, only to then take on Barcelona in the 2021 event.

As expected, gritty and experienced coach Marcelino has made Athletic Club tough to beat, and they have lost just one of their last 12 games. Five of their last six games have ended 1-1, including the quarter-final against Real Betis (Athletic Club went through on penalties).

Levante have recently shown they can rise to the big occasion by beating Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, with both wins coming in the Spanish capital. Last month, they played out two 1-1 draws with tonight's opponents, one in the league and one in the first leg of this semi-final. Seven of their last 12 games have ended level.

I think this will be tense, and incredibly close. I'll back the draw here at 3.711/4.