Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Predictions and Betting Tips
The San Mames is the stage for this highly-anticipated encounter as Athletic Bilbao take on Espanyol this coming Monday in the Spanish top-flight. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
Although it hasn't particularly been a dominant run, Bilbao would be keen on stretching their unbeaten run in this fixture to five games- winning just one of those games.
Bilbao on the ascnesion
Athletic Bilbao head into this game looking to stretch their winning run in all competitions to four games. Their third win was rather a famous one as we saw Marcelino's troops eliminate Real Madrid courtesy of a late Alex Berenguer strike. Having also eliminated Barcelona in the previous round just less than two weeks before, the Basque outfit must have confidence coursing through their veins. Nonetheless, they would need to start racking up results in the league as they're currently in 8th position after amassing a total of 31 points from 22 league matches.
Espanyol, unlike their opponents, are in search of their first since the beginning of the year when they eliminated SD Ponferradina in the Spanish Cup via a penalty shootout. With three losses in their last four games, the second of those sending them out of the Spanish Cup, a change of fortune is something they could use right about now. However, taking into account that they only just got promoted by winning the Segunda Division last season, they would be proud of their performance in the Spanish top-flight with the 11 points being the difference between them and the drop zone.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Team News
Athletic Bilbao possible starting XI:
Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, Zarraga, D Garcia, Muniain; R Garcia, I Williams
Espanyol possible starting XI:
Diego Lopez; Gil, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa; Embarba, Darder, Morlanes, Puado; Moron, Wu Lei
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Prediction: 2-1
Espanyol, having held the Basque club in the last two meetings would be looking to get yet another positive result this Monday and Bilbao's form at home could suggest that they will. However, Athletic Bilbao recent performances against Barcelona and Real Madrid is more than enough to convince us to back them for all three points.
