Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club are pushing for another historic season this season as his Basque giants welcome an inconsistent Real Betis side to San Mames this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 3rd November, 2024 - 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 Real Betis may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: GROWING INTO THE SEASON
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic won their first trophy in over 40 years when they won the Copa del Rey last season and their main goal for this season will be to win the UEFA Europa League with their stadium, San Mames, being used for the final of that competition.
The Basque giants started the season relatively slowly but they now begin the weekend sitting just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots after a run of just one defeat in their last ten matches across all competitions.
REAL BETIS PREVIEW: SEARCHING FOR CONSISTENCY
Manuel Pellegrini remains in charge of a recognisable squad in Real Betis but there has been a stagnation in terms of their performance level in the last 12 months. Despite that, they actually begin the 12th match day of the campaign sitting tucked inside the top six.
The Andalusians come into this one on the back of a much deserved 1-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid at the Benito Villamarin last weekend before then hammering Gevora by six goals to one in the first round of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: ROTATION
Ernesto Valverde has been keen on rotation this season. He remains without first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon, whilst Ander Herrera is also a doubt for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Andoni Gorosabel, Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ander Herrera (Injured)
REAL BETIS TEAM NEWS: MIDFIELD ISSUES
Both Marc Roca and Giovani Lo Celso are doubts with fellow midfielders William Carvalho, Aitor Ruibal and Isco all sidelined through injury for Betis.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Silva; Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Perraud; Pablo Fornals, Johnny Cardoso, Sergio Altimira, Abde Ez; Vitor Roque, Chimy Avila
UNAVAILABLE: Carvalho (Injured), Aitor Ruibal (Injured), Isco (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Marc Roca (Injured), Lo Celso (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS REAL BETIS PREDICTION
Athletic Club were held to a frustrating goalless draw against a Real Mallorca side that were down to ten men for large swathes of last week’s clash. They have actually hit a bit of inconsistency of late, lacking rhythm in the final third. They face a Betis side that have an abundance of attacking options but also perhaps lack a fluency and cohesive rhythm in attack so a low-scoring affair would seem quite likely.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS REAL BETIS TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS