Sports Mole previews Thursday’s La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The 2024-25 La Liga season will officially get underway when Athletic Bilbao welcome Getafe to San Mames for Thursday’s evening kick-off.
Last season, the Basque side achieved Europa League qualification via a fifth-place finish, while Getafe finished last season in 12th position.
Match preview
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The 2023-24 campaign will forever be etched in Athletic history after they ended their 40-year wait for Copa del Rey glory with a penalty shootout win over Mallorca in April’s final.
As well as enjoying cup success, Athletic experienced a successful league campaign, collecting 68 points to clinch fifth position.
After achieving their best league finish since 2015-16, Athletic may enter the new campaign with hopes of going one better and claiming their top-four finish since 2013-14.
Ernesto Valverde has added full-back Andoni Gorosabel and winger Alvaro Djalo to his squad over the summer, but their best piece of transfer business could involve keeping one of their key players.
Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, however, he currently looks set to stay at San Mames after being handed the number 10 jersey following the departure of club legend Iker Muniain.
While Williams has not featured in pre-season, Athletic have experienced mixed results in their preparations for the new season, with their seven friendlies producing three wins and four defeats.
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Last season, Getafe collected 43 points from 38 matches to finish in 12th position, breaking a run of three consecutive 15th-place finishes.
The Azulones have seen Mason Greenwood, Ilaix Moriba, Oscar Rodriguez, Jose Angel Carmona, Daniel Fuzato and Juanmi Latasa have all left the club following their loan spells, while Enes Unal, Anthony Lozano, Jaime Mata and Nemanja Maksimovic are among those who have left on a permanent basis.
While they have seen significant departures, Getafe have made several additions to Jose Bordalas‘s squad, having recruited Jiri Letacek, Alex Sola, Peter Federico, Chrisantus Uche and Carles Perez, with the latter joining on a season-long loan deal.
Diego Rico has returned to the Coliseum on a permanent deal after making 35 appearances during last season’s loan move from Real Sociedad.
Getafe’s new additions have been unable to deliver a run of positive results in pre-season, with their six friendlies producing one win, two draws and three defeats.
While wins have proven to be hard to come by in pre-season, the Azulones have experienced a similar problem in their recent meetings with Athletic, having failed to win any of their previous eight head-to-head matches (D6, L2).
Athletic Bilbao pre-season form (all competitions):
Getafe pre-season form:
Team News
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Athletic are expected to be without the services of Unai Simon, Alvaro Djalo, Oscar De Marcos and Inigo Ruis de Galarreta.
Julen Agirrezabala, Nico Serrano and Adu Ares are all fitness concerns and will have to be assessed ahead of the first game of the season.
Simon and Agirrezabala’s injury issues have seen Alex Padilla feature regularly in pre-season, and the 20-year-old goalkeeper could make his La Liga debut in Thursday’s contest.
Meanwhile, Getafe have doubts over the availability of Borja Mayoral, who is in the final stages of his recovery from a knee injury.
Djene is believed to be closing in on a move to the Saudi Pro League, but the defender could still feature in Thursday’s matchday squad.
Peter, Sola and Perez could all make their Getafe bows, while Rico is set to make his second debut for the Azulone.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Padilla; Gorosabel, Alvarez, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Iglesias, Aberdin, Alderete, Rico; Milla, Arambarri, Santiago; Sola, Peter, Perez
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Getafe
Athletic proved to be a strong force at San Mames last season, winning 12, drawing six and losing just one of their previous 19 matches.
We think will continue to make full use of home advantage this term, beginning with a narrow victory in Thursday’s contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.