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Athletic Bilbao will get their La Liga campaign underway against Getafe at the San Mamés Stadium on Thursday. The hosts finished fifth in the league standings last season, securing a berth in the UEFA Europa League group stage while the visitors finished 12th.
The hosts had a busy pre-season, playing seven friendlies. They suffered defeats in their last two friendlies and fell to a 4-0 loss to Stuttgart last week, failing to score for the second time in the pre-season.
The visitors had endured a winless run in their first four friendlies of the season, failing to score in three games. They bounced back well in their last two friendlies and were held to a goalless draw by Southampton last week.
Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 38 times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with 17 games ending in draws. The hosts have the better record in these games with a 12-9 lead in wins.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight meetings against the visitors, with six games ending in draws.
- Bilbao played out a 2-2 draw at home in La Liga last season and registered a 2-0 away win in the reverse fixture.
- Athletic Bilbao had just three wins in their last nine league outings, with one of them coming against Getafe in May.
- The visitors had concluded their La Liga campaign on a poor note, suffering five consecutive defeats. They had just one win in their last nine league games, failing to score in six games.
- Four of the last six meetings between the two teams have produced under 2.5 goals. The hosts have scored two goals apiece in three games while the visitors have failed to score in three games.
Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe Prediction
Zuri-gorriak suffered defeats in their last two friendlies, conceding seven goals, and will look to improve upon that record. They have just one win in their last seven home meetings against the visitors with five games ending in draws.
Ernesto Valverde has a lengthy absentee list as Unai Simón is a doubt while Alvaro Djalo was injured in the friendly against Aston Villa and will miss this match. Nico Williams did not play in the pre-season and is likely to start from the bench. Julen Agirrezabala, Oscar de Marcos, and Aimar Dunabeitia are also unlikely to start.
Azulones has suffered five consecutive losses in La Liga and will look to improve upon that record in this match. They have just one win in away games in La Liga in 2024, which is a cause for concern. Their top-scorer from last season Borja Mayoral remains sidelined with an injury, which will impact their performance.
Considering the injury concerns for the two teams and recent history, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Getafe
Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Iñaki Williams to score or assist any time - Yes
