Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol - prediction, team news, lineups

Following a bitter Basque derby defeat, Athletic are aiming to advance in the cup - which they have won 23 times, but not since 1984 - while their Catalan visitors enjoyed a rare away win last weekend.

Match preview

Left frustrated by his side's derby defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday night, Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde bemoaned a penalty conceded by Yeray Alvarez, which resulted in the defender's dismissal and changed the course of a close-fought encounter until that point.

As a result of their 3-1 loss in San Sebastian, they slipped down to eighth in La Liga - though still just two points shy of a top-four place.

Now set for a quick return to action in the last 16 of the Copa, Valverde's men must put their derby disappointment behind them and seek another cup win.

Since returning from the World Cup break, Athletic's only victories have come in Spain's premier knockout competition, by way of eliminating lower-tier teams Sestao and Eldense in the previous rounds; in the league, there have been two goalless draws and a defeat.

Confidence will nonetheless be high as they run out at their Bilbao headquarters, as a total of five wins from nine for the concession of just four goals have made San Mames a formidable venue for La Liga visitors to behold. They will welcome mighty Real Madrid there on Sunday evening, but first must tackle a more modest Espanyol side.

Having last lifted the Copa del Rey back in 2006, Espanyol may hope a recent upturn in form carries them through to May's final in Seville, despite the difficulty of their last-16 draw.

Los Blanquiazules stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches when they travelled to Getafe on Sunday afternoon, and a 2-1 victory at the capital club lifted them out of the relegation zone and as high as 14th in La Liga.

Given the tightly-packed nature of the Primera Division's bottom half, they remain precariously placed approaching the season's halfway stage, but a victory - earned by goals in either half from Joselu and Javi Puado - will boost morale before their return to knockout football.

Diego Martinez has previously led his side past Rincon, Atletico Paso and then Celta Vigo to reach this stage: the latter was the only all-La Liga tie of the third round, in which Javi Puado equalised just after the break to force the game into extra time, where Espanyol scored twice - courtesy of Sergi Darder and Nico Melamed.

The Catalan outfit had recently drawn with local rivals Barcelona and Girona, but had not managed to secure maximum points in the league since mid-October. Ending their drought in that regard could now spur them on to greater things in the cup.

Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

D

L

Espanyol Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Espanyol form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

D

W

Team News

Athletic Club's Inigo Martinez remains a doubt for Wednesday's tie due to a foot injury which ruled the experienced defender out of the Basque derby.

Yeray Alvarez may feature in the hosts' back four, though, as he awaits news of his appeal against Saturday's red card - any suspension would start with Athletic's La Liga clash against Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Iker Muniain and Alex Berenguer could be promoted from the bench, with brothers Nico Williams and Inaki Williams among those potentially rested and to be called upon later in the game if required.

The visitors have Adria Pedrosa, Keidi Bare and Pol Lozano on the sidelines due to injury, but left-back Brian Olivan returns from a ban that kept him out of contention on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia and midfielder Edu Exposito are set to be awarded starts by Diego Martinez, who could make numerous changes as he prioritises the upcoming league game against Real Betis.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Agirrezabala; Lekue, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Vesga, Zarraga; Muniain, Sancet, Berenguer; Garcia

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

Garcia; Sanchez, Calero, Cabrera, Montes; Martinez, Souza; Vidal, Exposito, Puado; Braithwaite

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Espanyol

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