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Kick off: Sunday, 08.11.2015 @12:00
Venue: San Mames Stadium
Head to head record
Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao 1-0 (2014/15 La Liga)
Espanyol vs Athlrtic Bilbao 0-2 (2014/15 Copa del Rey)
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol 1-1 (2014/15 Copa del Rey)
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol 3-1 (2014/15 La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol 1-2 (2013/14 La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol prediction
Sunday’s La Liga opener will see Athletic Bilbao play host to Espanyol at San Mames in a game which will be a perfect chance for the home side to continue with their winning run against the visitors who have lost three of their last five games.
Five-star Athletic
Athletic Bilbao have rediscovered their form and have wonderfully recovered from the poor stretch earlier this term with a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Los Leones have won their last four games in a row and are coming off fresh from the five-star Europa League display against Partizan. The Basque put five past Partizan’s goalkeeper to record a comprehensive 5-1 triumph which saw them cement the first place in Group L setting the course towards the knockout stage. Williams was on the mark again, having scored a brace early in the game, while Benat, Aduriz and Elustondo finished the emphatic visitors from Belgrade. Ernesto Valverde’s troops are turning their attention towards the domestic competition feeling motivated and in high spirits, eager to keep the good run going. Two draws and three wins in the last five La Liga rounds have seen Los Leones climb the ladder, and Athletic Bilbao are currently occupying the eighth place in the standings, two points short of the European place held up by Eibar at the moment. Inaki Williams has joined Aritz Aduriz in the goalscoring exploits, and the 21-year-old Spanish forward has been in great form lately with his three goals in five La Liga appearances and additional two in the Europa League.
Ernesto Valverde is still faced with a huge selection headache, as his five players are stuck in the medical room. Jonas Ramalho, Mikel Rico, Itturaspe, Muniain and Kike Sola are all out due to injuries, while Ibai Gomez is a doubt for the game.
Espanyol slowing down
It has been all wins and loses with Espanyol this season, with the first draw of the campaign being recorded last weekend against Granada. Espanyol were forced to work hard for the point against the lowly visitors who opened the account just shy of the hour mark, while the home side earned their point in injury time through Caicedo. It would’ve been Espanyol’s fourth defeat in last five games, and Sergio’s troops are experiencing a truly poor patch at the moment. The Blanquiazules are currently occupying the 10th place at the standings, only one point behind Athletic Bilbao and the Sunday game could be the perfect opportunity for Espanyol to kick start the campaign. Sergi’s team will have been pleased to hear that Spanish teen Marco Asenio has expressed his desire to stay in Espanyol until the end of the season, ruling out the possibility to return to Real Madrid early in January. The talented 19-year-old is one of Espanyol’s highest rated players, registering three assists in six La Liga games this term. Exciting times are coming to Espanyol who have confirmed this week that a Chinese company has bought more than 50 percent of the club’s shares and will invest in the indebted side.
Rober Correa is suspended for the game, while Gerard Moreno is injured an unavailable as well. There is a doubt over the fitness of Anaitz Arbilla and Valverde is likely to rest his player for the upcoming fixture.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol betting tip
The two teams are in contrasting forms, and the invigorated Athletic Bilbao seem unstoppable at the moment. They are likely to go hard from the off, so supporting the home team to record a comfortable win might be a good choice.
Tip: Athletic/Athletic
Odds: 2.28 (32/25) @888sport
