Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Espanyol will be aiming to make it five La Liga wins on the bounce when they travel to San Mamés to face Athletic Bilbao on Monday night.
The Catalan side have been one of the season’s surprise packages, sitting fifth in the table and just four points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid with a game in hand. Athletic, meanwhile, occupy seventh spot, two points shy of sixth-placed Real Betis.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic have endured an inconsistent campaign, recording seven wins, two draws, and eight defeats from 17 matches to collect 23 points. That tally leaves them seventh in the standings, 11 points adrift of the Champions League places, with a lack of stability continuing to hamper Ernesto Valverde’s men.
The Basques booked their place in the Copa del Rey last 16 with a narrow 1-0 win over Ourense CF last time out, but their recent league form is less encouraging. A 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo followed a goalless draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, underlining their struggles in front of goal.
Athletic will take confidence from history, though—they thrashed Espanyol 4-1 in this fixture last season and have lost only one of their last 10 meetings with the Catalan club.
Team News
Dani Vivian is suspended, while Yuri Berchiche, Aymeric Laporte, Maroan Sannadi, Unai Eguiluz, and Benat Prados are all sidelined through injury. Yeray Alvarez remains unavailable until April due to a lengthy ban following a failed drugs test.
Inaki Williams made his return from a groin problem in the Copa del Rey and should start again here.
Espanyol
Espanyol have been one of La Liga’s standout performers this term, collecting 30 points from 16 games thanks to nine wins, three draws, and four defeats. That run has propelled them to fifth place, and they head to Bilbao on the back of four consecutive victories over Sevilla, Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, and Getafe since a November loss to Villarreal.
Manolo Gonzalez’s side have been formidable at home, earning 19 points from nine matches, while also proving competitive on the road with 11 points from seven away fixtures. After finishing 14th last season, Espanyol now look genuine contenders for European football—and even a Champions League berth would not be out of the question.
Two of their last three league wins over Athletic have come at San Mamés, including a 1-0 success in September 2022, which will give them confidence ahead of Monday’s clash.
Team News
Charles Pickel is absent due to AFCON duty with Congo, but Tyrhys Dolan returns from suspension and Javi Puado could feature after recovering from a knee injury.
Kike Garcia, who has scored five times this season, is expected to lead the line once more.
Head-to-Head
Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol share a long-standing rivalry, with the Basques historically holding the upper hand. Athletic have won 21 of the last 45 meetings in La Liga, while Espanyol have claimed 12 victories, with the remaining games ending in draws.
Athletic’s 4-1 triumph in this fixture last season was emphatic, but Espanyol have enjoyed success at San Mamés in recent years, winning two of their last three visits.
Conclusion
Espanyol’s resurgence makes them a tough opponent, and their recent form suggests they can avoid defeat. Athletic have won five of nine home league games this season, but their inconsistency and Espanyol’s confidence point toward a tight contest.
A low-scoring draw appears the most likely outcome.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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