Bilbao managed to gain revenge over Valencia when the two sides locked horns in La Liga earlier this season, securing a slender 1-0 home win in August, and Valverde's men will attempt to frustrate Los Che again on Thursday as they bid to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the fourth successive year. Valencia Copa del Rey form: Valencia form (all competitions): Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey form: Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions): Team News Valencia duo Nico Gonzalez and Jaume Domenech are both ruled out with respective foot and knee injuries, while Thierry Correia is doubtful with a muscle problem.
After watching on as an unused substitute last time out, centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby could be recalled to the first XI at the expense of Cenk Ozkacar. Top scorer Edinson Cavani, who netted a brace in the previous round against Sporting Gijon, is set to lead the line and could be supported in attack by Samuel Lino and Justin Kluivert.
Like Valencia, Athletic Bilbao have also won two, lost two and drawn one of their opening five matches this year, with their most recent fixture ending in defeat against La Liga holders Real Madrid on Sunday. Goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos condemned the Lions to their sixth league defeat of the season and Ernesto Valverde's side remain eighth in the table, five points behind the Champions League positions. Bilbao now turn their focus to the Copa de Rey, a competition that they have won 23 times in total – four more than Real Madrid – with their last triumph dating back to the 1983-84 season under the tutelage of club legend Javier Clemente. The Basque-based outfit, who beat Espanyol 1-0 in the last 16 earlier this month, have fallen short in the Copa de Rey in each of the last three seasons, losing in the final against Barcelona in 2019-20 and Real Sociedad in 2020-21 before suffering defeat in the semi-finals to Valencia in April last year.
Preview: Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news