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The 2024-25 edition of La Liga is back in action with another set of matches this weekend as Espanyol take on Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao side in an important encounter at the San Mames on Saturday. The two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes this season and will want to win this game.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Preview
Espanyol are currently in 14th place in the La Liga standings and have not been at their best this season. The Catalan side defeated Mallorca by a 2-1 margin last week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are in sixth place in the league table at the moment and have been in impressive form this season. The Basque giants slumped to a damaging 2-1 defeat at the hands of Girona in their previous game and will need to bounce back this weekend.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Espanyol have a good recent record against Athletic Bilbao and have won 19 out of the last 51 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Athletic Bilbao's 15 victories.
- After consecutive defeats against Espanyol in La Liga in 2018, Athletic Bilbao have lost only one of their last seven such games in the competition, with their only such defeat during this period coming by a 1-0 margin in 2022.
- Athletic Bilbao have lost two of their last five matches at home against Espanyol in La Liga, as many defeats as they had suffered in the 16 such games preceding this run.
- Espanyol have lost six of their last seven matches away from home against Basque opponents in La Liga, with their only such victory during this period coming against Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Prediction
Athletic Bilbao have an impressive squad at their disposal but were not at their best against Girona. Oihan Sancet has been an effective presence in the final third for the hosts and will look to make his mark this weekend.
Espanyol have shown flashes of their ability this season but will need to be at their best in this fixture. Athletic Bilbao are the better team on paper and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Espanyol
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Athletic Bilbao to win
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Athletic Bilbao to score first - Yes
Tip 4: Oihan Sancet to score - Yes
