Copa del Rey: Athletic-Alaves | Nobody Believes Anything: Analysis, Preview, Forecast and Prediction

The Cup returns to San Mamés… and everything that goes with it. Athletic, who haven’t lost a game in 86 days, face a home clash against Alaves, who wear sheep’s clothing and say they think more about the League than the Cup. Neither Athletic, who know that extending the series depends on a full and strong game, nor Alaves, who, after eliminating Betis with the same approach as now, to beat Sevilla a few days later in the League, are going to throw a draw.

• How does Athletic appear? The Lions are in the European places in La Liga, and their extraordinary run (24 points out of a possible 30 in La Liga, plus qualifying rounds won against Ruby, Cayon and Eibar) makes them contenders for more than one round. Valverde stops a cross that looms over San Mamés, still on fire from the league derby against Real Madrid last Saturday.

• How Alaves arrives. The albiazul team has grown over the past week. They beat Real Betis in the Copa with a massive rotation and then ended Pizjuan’s 25 consecutive matches without a win as visitors in the First Division. Garcia Plaza has the entire team hooked, and this tournament offers equal parts excitement and responsibility.

Duel: Herrera vs. Guevara. The former PSG and Manchester man has been injury-free for a long time and has performed reliably whenever he has been brought in to replace the outstanding Galarrete, who is now hampered by a knock to his thigh. In front is Guevara, an experienced and quality footballer who is perfectly fulfilling the mission entrusted to him by Luis García Plaza.