Cultural Leonesa prepares to host Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey round of 16 this Tuesday, as the Segunda Division team aims to achieve an upset against their La Liga opponents. The Basque side enters the match following a devastating 5-0 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España semi-final, while Cultural managed a 1-1 draw against FC Andorra in their latest outing.
Cultural’s recent form has been mixed, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six games across all competitions. This inconsistent performance has seen them fall to 15th place in the Segunda Division, just three points clear of the relegation zone. The team is hopeful that a victory in this prestigious cup competition could energize their season. Having previously eliminated Levante with a 1-0 win in the last round, Cultural’s confidence is buoyed by their strong defensive capabilities, conceding more than one goal in a match only eight times this season. However, they will need to find more scoring opportunities, as they have struggled offensively, averaging less than a goal per game.
On the other hand, Athletic Club, the reigning champions from 2024, are eager to reclaim their title after losing it to Barcelona last season. Currently placed eighth in La Liga, they have found themselves lacking in confidence, winning only one of their last six matches across competitions and lagging 14 points behind the fourth-placed Atletico Madrid. Competing in the Champions League, they find themselves in a challenging position, sitting two points away from playoff spots, making their Copa del Rey aspirations crucial for any potential silverware this season.
Athletic Club holds a dominant record against Cultural, having won all three previous encounters in this competition, although their last meeting was back in November 2004.
In terms of team news, Cultural is going into the match with a clean bill of health, which should enhance their chances. Their captain, Rodri Suarez, and teammate Ruben Sobrino have returned from injury, which bolsters their lineup. Conversely, Athletic will be missing key players including Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche, Aymeric Laporte, Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, and Maroan Sannadi due to injuries and suspensions. They may still field a strong team with a couple of adjustments to recover from their recent loss.
Matchday predictions lean towards Athletic Club asserting their quality on the pitch, with many analysts forecasting a 2-0 win in favor of the Basque side. This anticipated matchup promises excitement as Cultural Leonesa strives for a memorable cup run while Athletic aims to solidify their status as a formidable contender.