Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Zaragoza

Atheltic Bilbao will be looking to end the run of two straight defeats when they play host to Zaragoza and this looks like the perfect opportunity for the Basques to return to winning ways. Zaragoza remained in the relegation zone following the home draw with Sporting Gijon and they don’t have much to hope for before the trip to the Cathedral.

Atheltic Bilbao sit comfortably in mid table after six rounds with seven points, which has got to be considered a very good achievement seeing los Leones have already faced teams like Barcelona, Valencia and Atletico Madrid, albeit losing all of these encounters. Nevertheless, they have also been very convincing in games against teams similar to themselves, beating Mallorca and Deportivo at home, while also bringing four points from the travels. The impressive record against the weaker La Liga sides gives Joaquin Caparros’ side plenty of reason for optimism, especially with Spain internationals Llorente and Javi Martinez in scintillating form lately. David Lopez is unlikely to feature having picked up an injury in midweek, but Javi Martinez and Fernando Amorebieta should be fit to play. The electric atmosphere at San Mames will only make things difficult for Zaragoza, so Athletic are expected to continue the good run against the bottom table teams.

Zaragoza were always going to struggle this season after failing to reinforce the squad that barely survived previous La Liga campaign, as well as allowing a couple of key players to leave the club. This resulted in the dreadful start to the league campaign, with Jose Aurelio Gay’s side picking up just three points from first six games, despite playing five of those six games against bottom table teams. Their performances in the opening rounds of the season leave much to be desired and I just don’t see how they can produce something special in this clash. The pressure is entirely on the players and coach Gay, who could easily be sacked after this match and this side don’t look capable of dealing with such a pressure, especially as they are to face a very good Athletic side. On top of that, the visitors are without Herrera, Laguardia, Uche, Franco and Jarosik, and these players will be sorely missed.

Conclusion

Atheltic have been more than impressive when playing bottom table teams this term, which cannot be said of Zaragoza, who seem to struggle even against the weakest sides in La Liga. Much stronger teams than Zaragoza have fallen at San Mames and Bilbao to win looks like one of the best football predictions this weekend.

Verdict: Home win Athletic Bilbao (1)

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Paddy Power