MADRID, April 3 (silubaba) -- Athletic Club Bilbao and Osasuna battle it out to book the first place in this season's Copa del Rey final on Tuesday night.
Athletic go into the game in their San Mames Stadium looking for their third Cup final appearance in four years, while Osasuna hope to reach the final for only the second time in the club's history.
The side from Pamplona travel to Bilbao with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, thanks to Eze Abde's second half goal in the first leg a month ago, but are likely to be without key striker Chimy Avila with a muscle injury that saw him miss Friday's 0-0 draw in Mallorca.
Osasuna are likely to play with five at the back and with Lucas Torro and Moi Gomez in midfield, while Abde's pace will be a constant threat on the break or following knockdowns from striker Kike Garcia.
The good news for Athletic fans on Saturday was the announcement from Spain Under-21 midfielder Oihan Sancet that he had agreed a new contract until 2032 and the player will start on Tuesday night, while Inigo Martinez, Mikel Vesga and Nico Williams will also start after being rested from the start at the weekend.
The two sides drew 0-0 in Bilbao in their La Liga clash in January in another game Athletic controled without finding a way to beat Osasuna keeper Aitor Fernandez.
The 53,000 capacity San Mames Stadium is likely to see the biggest crowd in its history for the game and Athletic will hope that the special atmosphere that is guaranteed in Bilbao and in the ground will help lift a side that has only managed to score in one game (a 3-1 win in Valladolid) since the first leg in early March. ■
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