Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: Copa del Rey Semi-Final Preview, Live Stream, and How to Watch in Australia

As the Copa del Rey heats up, football fans in Australia are gearing up for an electrifying quarter-final clash between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao. Set to take place at the historic Estadio Mestalla on February 4, 2026, this all-La Liga encounter promises high stakes, with a semi-final berth on the line. Valencia, known as Los Che, are desperate to end a seven-year trophy drought since their last Copa del Rey triumph in 2019. Facing them are the Basque powerhouses Athletic Bilbao, who boast an impressive 24 Copa titles – second only to Barcelona's 32 – including a recent victory in 2024.

Match Preview: Valencia's Home Fortress vs Bilbao's Cup Pedigree

Valencia enters this match on the back of a frustrating 1-0 loss to Real Betis, snapping a four-game unbeaten run that included a solid Round of 16 win over second-tier Burgos. The Bats have been formidable at home, remaining undefeated in their last five outings at Mestalla. Under manager Carlos Corberan, Valencia's attack has shown promise, with Umar Sadiq and Arda Guler leading the charge. However, their defense will need to be watertight against Bilbao's counter-attacking prowess.

Athletic Bilbao, or the Lions as they're affectionately called, arrive with some concerns over form. Winless in their last three matches across all competitions, the Basque side has struggled to replicate the dominance that secured their 2024 Copa glory. Despite this dip, Bilbao's squad depth remains a threat, with players like Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams capable of turning games on their head. Historically, Bilbao has had the edge in recent head-to-heads, winning the last two encounters before Valencia's 2-0 home victory in their most recent meeting, which ended a mini-drought against the Lions.

Key stats highlight the intrigue: Valencia has scored in 80% of their home games this season, while Bilbao's away form in cup ties shows resilience, conceding just 1.2 goals per match on average. Expect a tactical battle, with Valencia pressing high and Bilbao relying on set-pieces. Our prediction? A narrow 2-1 win for the hosts, but don't count out extra time in this cup thriller.

Head-to-Head History

The rivalry between these two La Liga stalwarts dates back decades, but recent years have seen tight contests. Valencia's last home win over Bilbao – a 2-0 scoreline – came courtesy of goals from Hugo Duro and Pepelu, snapping Bilbao's two-match winning streak. Overall, in the last 10 meetings, Bilbao edges it with five wins to Valencia's three, plus two draws. Cup games add extra spice, as both teams have lifted the trophy multiple times, fueling the passion.

Team News, Injuries, and Predicted Lineups

Valencia faces some injury headaches ahead of this fixture. Key defender Mouctar Diakhaby is sidelined with a hamstring issue, joined by goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and full-back Thierry Correia. Cristian Rivero is suspended, forcing changes in the backline. On a positive note, captain Pepelu is fit and ready to anchor midfield, while Umar Sadiq returns from a minor knock to bolster the attack.

Athletic Bilbao's injury list is even longer, resembling a war zone. Defenders Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, and Aymeric Laporte are out, alongside forwards Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet. Midfielders Beñat Prados and Maroan Sannadi add to the woes, with Alvarez and Paredes also suspended. Manager Ernesto Valverde will lean on reserves like Unai Vencedor and Alex Berenguer to fill gaps.

Predicted Lineups

Valencia (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Vazquez, Copete, Coemert, Foulquier; Ugrinic, Rioja, Danjuma, Pepelu; Beltran, Sadiq.

Subs: Tarrega, Duro, Guerra, Gaya, Almeida, Nunez, Lopez.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Padilla; Lekue, Gorosabel, Monreal, Laporte (if fit, else Vivian); Jauregizar, Vesga; Sanchez, Navarro, Serrano; Izeta.

Subs: Simon, De Marcos, Yuri, Sancet (doubtful), Williams (out).

These lineups reflect the absences, with Valencia opting for a solid midfield diamond and Bilbao going compact at the back.

How to Watch Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao in Australia: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Kick-Off Time

For Aussie fans, catching this Copa del Rey gem won't be straightforward due to broadcast rights, but options exist. The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT (that's 7:00 AM AEDT on February 5, 2026, for those in Sydney/Melbourne – perfect for early risers or night owls).

TV and Streaming Options Down Under

In Australia, beIN Sports holds La Liga rights, but Copa del Rey coverage might spill over to their platform. Check beIN Sports Connect for live streams, often bundled with Foxtel packages. If unavailable, international services like FanCode (primarily India-focused but accessible via VPN) or ESPN+ equivalents could work. For free trials, FuboTV offers global access, though geo-blocks apply.

Live Stream Guide for English-Language Coverage

• Australia: beIN Sports or Optus Sport (check schedules).
• UK: Premier Sports – stream via their app or website.
• USA: Fubo or ESPN+ for comprehensive La Liga cup action.
• India: FanCode app for HD streams.
• Africa: StarTimes for regional broadcasts.

Word of caution: Official streams require subscriptions, starting around AUD 15/month for beIN.

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions with VPN

Traveling or facing blackouts? A VPN is your best mate. Services like NordVPN let you connect to a UK or US server to access Premier Sports or Fubo. It's secure, fast, and streaming-optimized – just connect, sign up, and enjoy. GOAL recommends NordVPN for its 30-day money-back guarantee and sports streaming prowess. Always use legal streams to support the beautiful game.

Why This Match Matters for La Liga Fans

Beyond the immediate stakes, this fixture underscores the depth of Spanish football. Valencia's resurgence under Corberan could propel them back into European contention, while Bilbao's cup nous keeps their domestic dominance alive. For Australian viewers, it's a chance to see rising stars like Lino Soriano and Ander Herrera in action, bridging the gap between La Liga hype and local A-League passion.

As the whistle blows at Mestalla, expect drama, skill, and maybe a giant-killing. Stay tuned to Everythiiing.com for live updates, post-match analysis, and more football coverage tailored for Down Under fans. Who are you backing – the home heroes or the Basque lions?

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