Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe

Verdict: Athletic Bilbao win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to get the new La Liga campaign underway with an early statement in Basque Country, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Getafe to the Estadio San Mames on Thursday evening.

Athletic Bilbao

Starting with the hosts, while Athletic Bilbao might have eventually fallen short last season in the race to claim a famous Champions League ticket, the Lions did gain a string of plaudits from across Spain’s elite. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a gritty 1-0 win away at Rayo Vallecano, Ernesto Valverde’s men will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off back in May. With a Europa League adventure approaching on the horizon, the former Barcelona boss saw his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their final five La Liga appearances last season. Gaining a reputation for their defensive steel in Basque Country and holding the second-best defensive tally last year only behind Spanish icons Real Madrid, Bilbao should be smelling a potential opportunity on Thursday evening.

Team News

With attacking talisman Nico Williams still heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, it remains to be seen if the the 22-year-old will feature on Thursday evening. In what looks set to be a huge blow for Bilbao here, they will be without Spanish international goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Arriving from Braga this summer for a reported fee of €15million, Alvaro Djalo will make a La Liga debut in midweek. Promoted to Valverde’s first-team squad for this season, academy graduate Hugo Rincon could start at right-back.

Getafe

As for the visitors, while Getafe might have breezed their way to La Liga status last season, the Blues signed off the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a public struggle. Losing all of their final five top-flight appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1, Jose Bordalas’ side could face a real challenge this time around. Likewise, mustering just a single victory from any of their nine La Liga matchups after returning from March’s international break, the Madrid-based outfit also showed some extended struggles in the final third. Pencilled in as a real underdog when they travel to Basque Country on Thursday evening, Getafe should also be worried by a downbeat record against the top-four dreamers. Including a 2-0 defeat when they last met Bilbao back on May 3rd, they have failed to win any of their previous eight meetings.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance since suffering a long-term knee injury, it remains to be seen if attacking talisman Borja Mayoral will feature on Thursday evening. Completing a summer move from Real Madrid this summer, 22-year-old Peter Federico will make a full Getafe debut here.

Likewise, completing a move from Real Sociedad last month, former Bournemouth defender Diego Rico could feature from the start. Arriving from Celta Vigo on a season-long loan deal, ex-Barcelona starlet Carles Perez will be in contention to spearhead Getafe’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Athletic Bilbao and Getafe last met back on May 3rd, the Lions collected a 2-0 victory at the Estadio Coliseum.
• Bilbao are unbeaten in all of their previous eight straight meetings against Thursday’s guests across all competitions.
• Along with being crowned Copa del Rey champions on April 6th, Bilbao lost just a trio of their final 14 appearances across all competitions.
• Getafe lost all of their final five La Liga appearances last season by an aggregate score of 9-1.
• Bilbao conceded just 37 La Liga goals last season and held the second-best defensive tally among Spain’s elite.

Conclusion

With their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine Champions League charge this time around, Bilbao will be looking to make an early statement here. Hoping to carry on from where they left off back in May, Thursday’s hosts should be smelling a potential opportunity this week. Landing a deserved 2-0 win when they last met Getafe in La Liga action back on May 3rd, we are expecting a similar outcome at the Estadio San Mames.

Verdict: Athletic Bilbao win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster