Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal

Verdict: Villarreal to win at both HT and FT – yes

Best Odds: 23/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

Two teams facing opposite runs of results will collide this Sunday at La Catedral. Villarreal will put a five-game undefeated streak on the line as they will visit Athletic Bilbao. The Basque side has lost their past three games, and need to start winning to avoid troubles with relegation in the near future. The ball will start rolling at 19:45 BST, and David Medie Jimenez will be the referee.

Athletic Bilbao

It’s not a secret that Athletic Bilbao have been struggling of late. The Basque side has collected just four points out of their last 24 in LaLiga, and overall they register just two wins in their past 10 matches across all competitions. That poor run of results has them in 15th place in the Liga standings, and currently are just three points above the relegation zone so a win against Villarreal is key if they want to leave their struggles behind. Their home record has not been impressive this season, however, as they register two wins, one draw and two losses in league play thus far. But considering they have four defeats and just one win in their past five Liga matches, they can’t get complacent. Especially knowing they are just five points clear of the relegation zone. Bilbao are loaded with potential and have several interesting players on their squad such as Kepa, Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain, just to name a few. They need to start playing according to that potential if they don’t want to struggle with a potential relegation threat later in the season.

Team News

Athletic Bilbao will be quite depleted ahead of this game. Iker Muniain and Mikel Vesga have both been ruled out due to injury and suspension, respectively.

Those are not the only two absentees for Bilbao, though. Iker Undabarrena (knee), Benat Exteberria (undisclosed) and Yeray Alvarez (illness) are doubtful. Their inclusion will be decided closer to KO time.

Villarreal

Villarreal are on the exact opposite state as their Sunday opponents. El Submarino Amarillo has found new life following the appointment of Javier Calleja as manager, and are currently riding a five-game undefeated streak with four wins and one draw as a result. That positive run of results has them sitting in fifth place of the Liga standings, although they could move up to third place with a win and a draw between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. And El Submarino has a good record on the road of late as well, registering two wins, two draws and just one defeat in their past five matches away from home. The team is clicking in all cylinders, and the numbers back that up. Players such as Cedric Bakambu, Carlos Bacca and Nicola Sansone have been playing very well over the past few weeks, and they are a big reason why Villarreal are considered one of the best teams in LaLiga at the moment. They will need to maintain that form if they want to defeat Bilbao, as they have not won in La Catedral since 2011.

Team News

Javier Calleja will have to deal with a few absences ahead of this match. Samu Castillejo (thigh) and Andres Fernandez (knee) are already out.

Bruno Soriano (leg) will return after a four-month absence. And Ruben Semedo will return as well after missing the last game due to illness.

Key Factors to Consider

• Both teams are riding opposite runs at the moment. While Bilbao have lost their past three matches, Villarreal have gotten 13 points out of their last 15.
• El Submarino Amarillo, in fact, has been one of the best teams in the league over the last five matches. They register four wins and just one draw over that span.
• Bilbao currently sit in 15th place, just three points above the relegation zone. They have won just four points out of their last 24.
• Villarreal won the most recent meeting between both clubs, although Bilbao was undefeated in the past four matches against El Submarino prior to that loss.
• Bilbao’s struggles have extended across all competitions, as they have just two wins in their last 10 matches between LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Europa League.

Conclusion

Villarreal has been on top form at the moment. Honestly, they shouldn’t have problems to come away with the win in this match. Especially if we consider they are playing against a team that has been struggling of late.

Expect Villarreal to build a lead in the first half and maintain it until the final whistle.

Verdict: Villarreal to win at both HT and FT – yes

Best Odds: 23/5

Bookmaker: 888sport