Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club may well be taking their eye off the ball in La Liga as they focus on the UEFA Europa League ahead of this weekend’s visit of Rayo Vallecano to the Basque Country.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 13th April, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
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 Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Focus on Europe
Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a very frustrating clash with Rangers at Ibrox in midweek, sharing a goalless draw with the Bears in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie, despite Rangers going down to ten men after just ten minutes.
Much like last season once they had won the Copa del Rey, Athletic may be taking their eye off the ball in the league with the top four seemingly wrapped up and the focus being on winning the UEFA Europa League at San Mames in May.
Rayo Vallecano Preview: Trying to avoid the coasting
Much like Athletic, with their goals for the season potentially having already been reached by ensuring they will be in the top-flight last season, Rayo Vallecano may be taking their eye off the ball despite the fact a top eight finish and European qualification remains a possibility.
Inigo Perez’ side most recently suffered a 4-0 annihilation at the hands of Espanyol in their most recent outing at Vallecas last weekend due to goals from Leandro Cabrera, Roberto Fernandez, a Javi Puado penalty and Pere Milla.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Oihan Sancet confusion
Spain international attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet is the subject of some unusual rumours within Bilbao and his involvement has been staggered of late. Athletic will be without Yuri Berchiche due to a leg injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue; Mikel Jauregizar, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Yuri Berchiche (Injured)
Questionable:
Rayo Vallecano Team News: Still no Mumin
Rayo Vallecano have been frustrating to watch in recent weeks but the likes of Jorge de Frutos and Isi Palazon are now fully fit. They do, though, remain without key defender Abdul Mumin due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Ratiu, Aridane Hernandez, Lejeune, Pep Chavarria; Unai Lopez, Ciss; Jorge de Frutos, Pablo Diaz, Alvaro Garcia; Nteka
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured)
Questionable: Sergio Camello (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
As mentioned, Athletic are trying to push for UEFA Europa League glory at their home ground later on in the season. The hosts are comfortably tucked inside the top five, though, so that is probably a reasonable and fair expectation. They now take on a Rayo side that have won ten, drawn ten and lost ten of their 30 games this season but remain tucked inside the top-half and require a response from previously poor performances so exploiting a distracted Athletic side may well be a good bet for this one.
Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano Tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
