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La Liga: Deportivo La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao preview

Kick off: 18.10.2015 @20:30

Venue: Estadio Riazor

Head to head record

Athletic Bilbao vs Dep. La Coruna 1-1 (La Liga)
Dep. La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao 1-0 (La Liga)
Dep. La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao vs Dep. La Coruna 1-1 (La Liga)
Dep. La Coruna vs Athletic Bilao 2-1 (La Liga)

Deportivo La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao prediction

Final game of round eight in La Liga will be played on Sunday night at Riazor with home side Deportivo La Coruna looking to prolong their three-game unbeaten run against Athletic Bilbao.

Deportivo on the run

The Brancoazuis are enjoying the fine start to the new season in Spanish top flight as they are sitting in sixth in the standings with just one defeat after seven games. With just four points shy from the table-toppers Villareal, Deportivo La Coruna are optimistic early in the season. Even though their form has not yet been put to the real test, Deportivo have managed to record some pretty important wins both at home and away. After back-to-back triumphs over Betis away (2-1) and against Espanyol at home (3-0), Victor Sanchez’s troops have been halted before the break at the hands of struggling Granada (1-1), who managed to scrape a point against Deportivo. Lucas Perez has been particularly impressive so far, with four goals next to his name and fantastic performances which stirred a lot of speculation regarding his future. Despite the interest from other clubs the Spanish attacker reiterated his desire to finish his career at Deportivo La Coruna. This 27-year-old joined the La Liga side on a loan from PAOK last year, but his deal was made permanent in the summer, as Perez proved to be a key member of Victor Sanchez’s team. His scoring feats have added to the tally of 11 goals for Deportivo in last five fixtures.

Sanchez will be delighted to have almost all of his players fit to play on Sunday with Fabricio being the only one unavailable at the moment. Goalkeeper German Lux and wingers Faycal Feir and Luis Alberto have recovered from their injuries and are given the nod to feature in the upcoming event.

Bilbao looking to end their poor Riazor record

Athletic Bilbao have struggled at Riazor since 2006 when they recorded their last away win over Deportivo La Coruna. Ernesto Valverde’s charges have been underperforming early this term and their 13th place in the standings is most certainly not a satisfactory result for the Spanish Super Cup winners who entered the current campaign with high hopes. Los Leones have won just once in their last five outings in all competitions. The triumph over Valencia 3-1 was recorded just before the international break and it came in the right time for Athletic Bilbao who will be keen on catching the momentum and returning to winning ways. Fans will be pleased to hear their key player and team’s top scorer this season, with four goals next to his name, Aritz Aduriz has extended his contract and will be staying at the club until the end of the 2021-17 campaign. The experienced forward has been enjoying his third spell at San Mames, once again proving to be a fantastic addition to Valverde’s team and the news of his renewal will boost the Basque side ahead of their Riazor visit. However, with the news of central defender Aymeric Laporte reportedly set to join Barcelona next summer, Athletic Bilbao will hope that speculation will have no effect on the team’s performances.

Iker Muniain, Jonas Ramalho and Mikel Rico are still injured for Los Leones who will have no other absentees for the Sunday game.

Deportivo La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao betting tip

Deportivo are enjoying their fine start to the new campaign in La Liga and will be hoping to extend their fine run against Athletic Bilbao, who are having a lot of problems at the moment. The hosts have won five of their last six home games against the Basque in all competitions and will be keen on remaining undefeated once again. The visitors cannot afford to lose either and I can see a closely contested affair and a draw at the cards.

Tip: Draw

Odds: 3.20 (11/5) @888sport

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