Sports Mole previews Saturday’s La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Athletic Bilbao will be aiming to bounce back from a defeat when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.
The Basque side were beaten 2-1 by Girona last time out, which left them in sixth spot in the La Liga table, while Espanyol are 14th in the division, picking up 10 points from their opening nine matches.
Match preview
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Athletic boast a record of four wins, two draws and three defeats from their nine La Liga matches this season, with a total of 14 points leaving them in sixth position in the division, three points off fourth-placed Villarreal.
Ernesto Valverde‘s side had been on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions ahead of their clash with Girona before the international break, but they suffered a 2-1 loss to the Catalan side.
It did appear that the points would be shared, with Oihan Sancet cancelling out an opener from Yaser Asprilla, but a 99th-minute penalty from Cristhian Stuani secured all three points for Girona.
Athletic have picked up eight points from their five home league games this season, and they will be welcoming an Espanyol outfit with just one point to show from their four away La Liga matches in 2024-25.
The Lions have won two of their last three league games against Espanyol, but the last meeting between the two sides at San Mames ended in a 1-0 away success back in September 2022.
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Espanyol secured a return to Spain’s top flight through the 2023-24 Segunda Division playoffs, and they are bidding to consolidate back at this level of football in 2024-25.
The Catalan outfit boast a record of three wins, one draw and five defeats from their nine league matches this season, which has left them in 14th position in the division on 10 points, four points outside of the relegation zone.
Manolo Gonzalez‘s side suffered three straight defeats to Real Madrid, Villarreal and Real Betis at the end of October, but they managed to record a 2-1 victory over Mallorca before the international break.
Marash Kumbulla and Jofre Carreras were on the scoresheet for Espanyol at RCDE Stadium, and the White and Blues will now be bidding to make it successive victories in Spain’s top flight for the second time this season.
Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):
Espanyol La Liga form:
Team News
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Athletic will have to make a check on Nico Williams, with the Spain star struggling to overcome a muscular problem, and it seems unlikely that he will be in the starting side this weekend.
Sancet is also a doubt due to a thigh issue, while Alex Padilla, Yeray Alvarez and Unai Simon are definitely out for the Lions.
Athletic will be missing one player through suspension on Saturday, meanwhile, as Aitor Paredes was sent off in the narrow defeat to Girona last time out.
Mikel Vesga could be back in the squad, though, and there will also be a return between the sticks for the club’s number two goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala, who served a suspension before the international break.
As for Espanyol, Edu Exposito is missing with a long-term knee problem, while Leandro Cabrera is again expected to be unavailable for selection due to a troublesome foot issue.
The Catalan outfit are hopeful that their leading goalscorer this season will be available, though, with Javi Puado facing a late fitness test on a knee issue.
Puado has scored three times in the league this term, and there is hope that he could at least be in the squad, with the same attack that started against Mallorca potentially taking to the field for the first whistle.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Lekue, Boiro; U Gomez, Ruiz de Galarreta, Herrera; I Williams, Guruzeta, Berenguer
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; El Hilali, Gomez, Kumbulla, Romero; Gragera, Lozano; Carreras, Kral, Cardona; Veliz
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Espanyol
Athletic will be missing some key players this weekend, and Espanyol are certainly capable of making this an uncomfortable match for the home side. The Lions can still call upon some excellent quality, though, and we are backing them to navigate their way to all three points on Saturday afternoon.
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