Bitesize Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca – 02/02/24

Competition: La Liga

Market: Athletic Bilbao win

Odds: 8/15 @ 1xBet

Hoping to keep up their Champions League charge on Friday night, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Mallorca to San Mames.

Starting with the hosts, although Athletic Bilbao might have been disappointed last weekend as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Cadiz, the mood in Ernesto Valverde’s camp should be at a real high. Punching their Copa del Rey semi-final ticket on January 24th as they claimed a thrilling 4-2 victory against Barcelona, the Lions have their sights firmly set on securing a top-four finish this season. Opening the New Year with an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Sevilla, the Basque-based outfit will be smelling the chance to extend on their Champions League charge here. In fact, Bilbao have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 17 straight domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to October 22nd. Receiving a string of plaudits from across Spain’s elite this season, Valverde’s side have also picked up some heavyweight scalps. With their extended purple patch highlighted by a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on December 16th, Bilbao are rightfully tipped as a standout contender this weekend.

As for the visitors, while Mallorca might have punched their own Copa del Rey semi-final ticket last week, the Pirates came immediately crashing back down to earth. Putting in a toothless performance on home soil as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis, Javier Aguirre’s side are looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Holding a four-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the Palma-based outfit have also failed to win any of their previous four La Liga appearances. Opening the New Year with another 1-0 loss against title contenders Real Madrid, Mallorca have also continued to show some glaring issues on the road. In fact, Friday’s guests have collected just a trio of points from any of their last eight top-flight showdowns away from the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix – a run that stems all the way back to September 16th. Collecting just a single point from any of their previous seven trips to San Mames, we are backing a home victory here.

Bet: Athletic Bilbao 8/15 to beat Mallorca in Friday’s La Liga matchup @ 1xBet