Athletic Bilbao vs Girona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club begin the 23rd match day of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots ahead of facing top seven chasing Girona.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 8th February, 2025: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Girona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Pushing for history
With the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League final taking place at San Mames in May, Athletic Club will be hoping to go deep into that competition but, after ending a 40-year trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey last season, they are still involved in the title race in La Liga.
The Basque giants begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Their 2-2 draw with Real Betis in Andalusia last weekend means that they have suffered just three defeats in 22 matches across all competitions.
Girona Preview: Overachieving once again
After finishing third and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in just their fifth ever season as a top-flight club, Girona, once again, had to let go of several key players last summer but the Catalans have remained strong as they push for European qualification once again.
Michel, who said it would be a tough campaign, has his side beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top seven in La Liga. They most recently defeated Las Palmas by two goals to one last weekend thanks to goals from Abel Ruiz and Yaser Asprilla.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Keeping the squad intact
Athletic went into the January transfer window simply wanting to keep their squad intact and Nico Williams, the biggest potential departure, did remain at San Mames. He is a doubt for this weekend alongside Unai Nunez and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta due to hamstring issues.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Vesga, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Alvaro Djalo (Injured)
Questionable: Unai Nunez (Injured), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Girona Team News: Blind a doubt
Girona have had an injury crisis for the vast majority of this campaign with several injury issues but they have no fresh concerns and just one doubt which is experienced former Netherlands international defender Daley Blind.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, Juanpe, Krejci, Miguel Gutierrez; Yangel Herrera, Ivan Martin; Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Bryan Gil; Abel Ruiz
Unavailable:
Questionable: Blind (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Girona Prediction
Athletic are an entertaining team to watch with Ernesto Valverde cultivating quite a deceptively deep squad, despite their Cantera policy of only signing and playing players of Basque origin. The hosts have had a rare full week off ahead of this one so their special front four of the Williams brothers, Oihan Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta could well be deployed as Girona, the entertainers of La Liga in each of the last couple of seasons, seek to take the game to any opposition. As a result, Athletic are favourites with home advantage but, it should it be quite a fun watch.
Athletic Bilbao vs Girona Tip: Athletic to win & over 2.5 goals
