One of the profitable groups in La Liga not too long ago will goal to proceed their spectacular streak in opposition to a group with ambitions for the Champions League on Sunday.
Match Preview
Villarreal, with 4 wins of their final 5 league matches, will go to San Manes to tackle Athletic Bilbao, who’re simply two factors away from the highest 4.
Athletic Bilbao clinched the Copa del Rey trophy final weekend in Seville, triumphing over Mallorca in a penalty shootout.
Nonetheless, their inconsistency in La Liga stays a priority in the event that they aspire to safe a Champions League spot by the season’s finish.
Of their final 10 league video games, Athletic Bilbao has gained 4, drawn three, and misplaced three, showcasing their battle for stability.
Nonetheless, Ernesto Valverde’s group has not tasted defeat of their earlier 18 residence matches throughout all competitions.
Villarreal confronted a 2-1 loss in opposition to Atletico Madrid of their earlier fixture, ending their nine-game unbeaten streak.
Regardless of one win and 4 attracts within the interim, the Yellow Submarine secured 4 consecutive victories, averaging three objectives per recreation.
Villarreal has gained three of their final 4 away league matches, scoring greater than 2.5 objectives in every victory, though they conceded six objectives in complete.
Head-to-Head:
Athletic Bilbao has had appreciable success in opposition to Villarreal these days, dropping solely one in every of their final 10 La Liga encounters.
In a broader context, they’ve misplaced simply two of their earlier 13 league matches in opposition to Villarreal.
Staff Information & Updates:
Athletic Bilbao will miss Yeray Alvarez on account of damage and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta on account of suspension.
However, Villarreal’s injured gamers embrace Pepe Reina, Eric Bailly, Yeremy Pino, Denis Suarez, and Ramon Terrats.
Prediction & Evaluation:
Traditionally, Athletic Bilbao has had the higher hand on this fixture, dropping simply one in every of their final 10 La Liga conferences with Villarreal.
With their robust residence document and Villarreal’s defensive vulnerabilities on the highway, all indicators level in direction of a snug residence win for Athletic Bilbao.
We predict Athletic Bilbao to attain over 1.5 objectives and maintain a clear sheet, sinking the Yellow Submarine in a convincing show.
- Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Villarreal