Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol – prediction, team news, lineups

Sporty Bilbao will look to bounce back from defeat as they continue their La Liga campaign at home Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.

The Basque side were beaten 2-1 by Girona last time out and are in sixth place of the season La Liga tablewhile Espanyol are in 14th place in the league having picked up 10 points from their first nine games.

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Athletic have a record of four wins, two draws and three defeats from nine La Liga games this season. With a total of 14 points they sit sixth in the division, three points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.

Ernesto ValverdeThe Spanish side were unbeaten in six games in all competitions before meeting Girona before the international break, but suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Catalan side.

It seemed that the points would be shared with Oihan Sancet Cancellation of an opening game of Yaser Asprillabut a penalty in the 99th minute Christian Stuani Girona secured all three points.

Athletic have picked up eight points from their five home league games this season and host an Espanyol team that has just one point from their four La Liga away games in the 2024/25 season.

The Lions have won two of their last three league games against Espanyol, but the last meeting between the two teams at San Mames in September 2022 ended in a 1-0 away win.

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Espanyol secured a return to the Spanish top flight through the 2023/24 Segunda Division playoffs and is aiming to regain a foothold at this level of football in the 2024/25 season.

The Catalan team has a record of three wins, one draw and five defeats in nine league games this season, which leaves them 14th in the division with ten points, four points outside the relegation zone.

Manolo GonzalezThe Barcelona team suffered three consecutive defeats against Real Madrid, Villarreal and Real Betis at the end of October, but managed to record a 2-1 win over Mallorca before the international break.

Marash Kumbulla And Jofre Carreras were on the scoresheet for Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium and the white and blue are now looking to secure a second successive win in Spain's top flight this season.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Espanyol La Liga form:

Team news

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Athletic needs to check this Nico Williamsas the Spanish star is struggling with a muscle problem and it seems unlikely he will be in the starting line-up this weekend.

Sancet is also questionable due to thigh problems Alex Padilla, Yeray Alvarez And Unai Simon are definitely on the road for the Lions.

Athletic will be without a player on Saturday due to suspension Aitor Paredes was sent off last time out in the narrow defeat against Girona.

Mikel Vesga However, he could be back in the squad and there will also be a return between the sticks for the club's second-biggest goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabalawho served a ban before the international break.

As for Espanyol, Edu Exposito missing in the case of a long-term knee problem, while Leandro Cabrera is unlikely to be available for selection again due to a problematic foot problem.

However, the Catalans will be hoping that their top goalscorer this season is available Javi Puado faces a late fitness test due to a knee problem.

Puado has scored three goals in the league this season and there is hope that he could at least be in the squad, as the same attack that started against Mallorca could potentially be on the pitch at the first whistle.

Possible Athletic Bilbao starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Lekue, Boiro; U Gomez, Ruiz de Galarreta, Herrera; I Williams, Guruzeta, Berenguer

Possible Espanyol starting lineup:
Garcia; El Hilali, Gomez, Kumbulla, Romero; Gragera, Lozano; Carreras, Kral, Cardona; Veliz

We say: Athletic Bilbao – Espanyol 2:1

Athletic will be without some key players this weekend and Espanyol are certainly capable of making the game uncomfortable for the home side. However, the Lions still have excellent quality to draw from and we're backing them to take all three points on Saturday afternoon.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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