Cultural Leonesa vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips (13 January)

Cultural Leonesa comes straight from the 2nd division and did not laugh in the previous round by beating Granotes de Levante 1-0. Note, however, that at home, confidence is not prolific with only two small victories in the last five receptions in all competitions but above all two defeats in the championship against poorly ranked Huesca 0-2 and Granada 0-1. On the weekend of January 3, the home side were forced to share the points with Real Sociedad B at home 1-1. At the end of 2025, Cultural Leonesa had a 4-0 defeat on the lawn of Las Palmas. In the championship, Cultural Leonesa occupies 15th place. Last weekend, Leonesa went to the Principality of Andorra to challenge FC Andorra in the championship, result to follow. Winning 24 times in this Copa del Rey, each season, Athletic Bilbao makes this competition its main objective with the championship.

Last year, the Lions of San Mamès stopped at the round of 16 stage, beaten by neighbors Osasuna. This season, Ernesto Valverde's men are only shadows of themselves. The year 2026 began with a La Liga draw at Osasuna 1-1, combined with a heavy defeat in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Barça seven days ago 5-0. If we exclude the victory in overtime against Ourense in the previous round of this Copa del Rey 0-1, Bilbao has not won in 5 matches at the end of regulation time. In La Liga, Athletic Club only occupies 8th place, 14 points behind the top 4 in the Champions League race. 

On the Cultural Leonesa side, the coach will not be able to count on long-term absentees like Ruben Sobrino (ex-Valencia) and Eneko Satrustegui. For the rest, the group should be complete with in particular Rafael Tresaco, sole scorer against Levante. For the record, he has not yet found the fault in the championship (the bubble in 10 appearances). Manu Justo (5 goals in the league) will be on the scoresheet along with the precious Luis Chacon (3 goals, 2 assists), Lucas Ribeiro (3 goals, 1 assist in the league) or even D.Collado (ex-Villarreal) and Paco Cortes (18 years old, 2 goals in the league). Among the Basques, a bunch of players did not participate in the trip to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup.

This is the case of the injured Sannadi, Berchiche, Egiluz (cruciate ligaments), Prados (cruciate ligaments), Aymeric Laporte and Vesga. In addition, we can add the suspension for doping of central defender Y.Alvarez. Whether we like it or not, Inaki and Nico Williams are expected to do much more and bring this team to success. The same goes for Oihan Sancet.