Verdict: Athletic Bilbao win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to make up some ground in the top-four chase on Friday night, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Celta Vigo to San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao
Starting with the hosts, while Athletic Bilbao might have marked their return from October’s international break with a late 1-0 loss away at Barcelona, the Lions have certainly proven that toothless performance was nothing more than a minor blip. Last seen putting in an action-packed display as the claimed a 3-2 victory award at Villarreal, Ernesto Valverde’s side have their sights firmly set on punching a Champions League ticket this season. Losing just one of their previous five domestic appearances across all fronts, Bilbao will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Friday’s guests. In fact, when Valverde’s men last welcomed Celta Vigo the San Mames back on May 20th, the Basque-based outfit clinched a 2-1 victory on home soil. Likewise, unbeaten in each of their previous five La Liga contests in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to the opening weekend.
Team News
Still dealing with a recent injury issue and not making a single appearance since returning from October’s international break, Athletic Bilbao are once again expected to be without former Manchester United star Andre Herrera on Friday night. Likewise, Valverde’s men are also without the services of 28-year-old Yeray Alvarez.
Drawing a line under his four-match goalless rut away at Villarreal last weekend, Ghana international Inaki Williams will spearhead Bilbao’s charge here. Summer recruit Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta will keep his spot at the heart of Valverde’s midfield.
Celta Vigo
As for the visitors, suffering last-gasp heartbreak at home against Sevilla last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, Celta Vigo have struggled to find any kin of stability since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny and remarkably at the heart of another La Liga relegation scrap, Rafa Benitez’s men should be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Mustering just seven points from any of their opening 12 La Liga showdowns, the ex-Newcastle boss does have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Without a single win from any of their last eight La Liga appearances – a run that stems all the way back to September 1st – Celta have continued to show some rather glaring issues at both ends of the pitch. Hit with that 2-1 loss when they last travelled to San Mames on May 20th, Benitez’s side are rightfully installed as a major underdog on Friday night.
Team News
Dealing with a recent knee injury, Celta Vigo will once again be without 28-year-old Mihailo Ristic on Friday night. Likewise, suffering what is expected to be a long-term Achilles tendon injury that was sustained last month, Ghana international Joseph Aidoo will not travel to San Mames this weekend.
Shown a pair of bookings in last week’s 1-1 draw against Sevilla, former Feyenoord midfielder Renato Tapia will serve a one-match suspension here. Still waiting to open his La Liga account this season, ex-Liverpool striker Iago Aspas could be handed a rest on Friday.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Athletic Bilbao and Celta Vigo last met on May 20th, the Lions picked up a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Valverde’s side have lost just a pair of their previous 13 domestic appearances across all formats.
- Celta Vigo have collected just seven points from their first 12 La Liga appearances this season.
- Likewise, Friday’s guests are also without a win from any of their last eight straight La Liga contests.
- Bilbao’s last five La Liga home fixtures have produced 20 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
With their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine Champions League charge this season, Athletic Bilbao will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Looking to move just a single point adrift of breaking into the Champions League positions, Friday’s hosts will be relishing Celta Vigo’s arrival here. At the heart of another La Liga relegation scrap and without a win from any of their previous eight top-flight contests, Benitez’s struggling squad face another stern challenge here. With Bilbao landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed the Sky Blues to San Mames back on May 20th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Athletic Bilbao win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
