Copa del Rey Tips: Barcelona must do it the hard way

Luis Enrique has bought himself time with Barcelona's recent form

Michael Lintorn expects Barcelona to fall behind against Villarreal, and Espanyol to avoid defeat at Athletic Bilbao...

Barcelona v Villarreal
Wednesday, 19:00
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Barcelona 1.241/4, Villarreal 15.014/1, The Draw 7.413/2

This season's Copa del Rey has already brought us Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid and Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, but expectations for this semi-final are almost as enormous after a pulsating La Liga clash between the pair at the Camp Nou ten days ago, in which the hosts narrowly edged it 3-2.

Barcelona have looked a different side on their current nine-game winning streak to the disunited bunch that imploded following a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad to start the year, encouraging belief that they could still claim both major domestic trophies.

Yet, while their favouritism is justified, 15.014/1 is surely far too large a price on Villarreal, who have won five of their last six outings - all without conceding too - and whose marginal defeat on their previous visit to Catalonia was the only one that they have suffered in their past 20 fixtures.

The most compelling trend of all though, one which earned us a profit in the quarter-finals and is still going strong, is that the Yellow Submarine have opened the scoring in 21 successive encounters. They have also broken the deadlock in two of their most recent three meetings with Barcelona.

Recommended Bet: Back Villarreal to score the next goal @ 4.67/2

Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol
Wednesday, 21:00
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Athletic Bilbao 2.0811/10, Espanyol 4.3100/30, The Draw 3.412/5

Athletic Bilbao's initial transition from original San Mames to shiny new version in 2013 went smoothly, but they have really struggled at their new home lately, winning one and losing four of their last six games there, conceding 14 times in the process.

Espanyol aren't great travellers and were beaten in the away leg of their previous two ties. However, there is a distinction to be made: both were against top-five teams in Valencia and Sevilla and they were drawing both in the 85th minute. At the very least, there is Cash Out value in laying the hosts.

Additionally, the Catalan club have a formidable La Liga record against those below them in the table - seven wins, three draws and two defeats - and are ninth to Athletic's 13th place. Having eliminated two of the top 2014/15 performers, there is no way that Espanyol will allow that work to be wasted.

Recommended Bet: Lay Athletic Bilbao to win @ 2.111/10