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December 5 2024, 08:41 · Alex Lawes

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction

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It has been a remarkable run of form for Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club as they try and push themselves into UEFA Champions League qualification as they now prepare to take on an entertaining and strong Villarreal side at San Mames in the Basque Country.

Kick-off date/time: Sunday 8th December, 2024: 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 Villarreal may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+

Athletic Bilbao Preview: Pushing for a top four finish

Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a famous victory against defending Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in midweek. Alex Berenguer gave Athletic the lead in that game before Jude Bellingham equalised for Los Blancos after a Kylian Mbappe penalty was saved by Julen Aggirezabala. Gorka Guruzeta then scored a late winner for the Basque giants.

That victory followed on from an impressive 2-1 win away at Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas last weekend. Those wins mean that the home team are now unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions as they also chase glory in the UEFA Europa League with the final of that competition taking place at San Mames in May.

Villarreal Preview: Yellow Submarine in the battle

Returning to his former side this weekend, Marcelino has his current side, Villarreal, beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting a place and three points behind Athletic in the top four, albeit with two games in hand, after an entertaining start to the campaign.

The Yellow Submarine have had 50 goals come in their 14 La Liga games. They come into this one on the back of being denied a win against Girona due to a 97th minute Ladislav Krejci equaliser. They have since suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Pontevedra in the second round of the Copa del Rey in midweek, too, to mean they have won three, drawn three and lost two of their last eight matches across all competitions.

Athletic Bilbao Team News: ‘Keeper dilemma

Spain number one Unai Simon is back fit and available after being out all season and cheered on Julen Aggirezabala’s penalty save from Mbappe the other day with the latter likely to pip the former to the line-up once again this weekend.

Aside from that goalkeeping dilemma, there are no other real issues for Ernesto Valverde to deal with as fringe but experienced midfielder Ander Herrera remains a bit of a doubt. 

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Aggirezabala; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Alex Berenguer

Unavailable: 

Questionable: Ander Herrera (Injured)

Villarreal Team News: Key injuries

Club captain Gerard Moreno has returned to full fitness recently but Villarreal are still dealing with plenty of injury issues across the pitch with key defenders and attackers unavailable.

Ayoze Perez is sidelined for this weekend alongside former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe as well as Morocco international attacking midfielder Ilias Akhomach. 

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Conde; Kiko Femenia, Raul Albiol, Costa, Juan Bernat; Yeremy Pino, Santi Comesana, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena; Gueye, Barry

Unavailable: Foyth (Injured), Alfonso Pedraza (Injured), Sergi Cardona (Suspended), Ramon Terrats (Injured), Pepe (Injured), Akhomach (Injured), Ayoze Perez (Injured)

Questionable: Bailly (Injured)

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Prediction

Athletic Club are in excellent form with a fantastic array of attacking options. Inaki and Nico Williams support the likes of Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta with an attacking and entertaining team genuinely capable of challenging for a top four finish and another trophy. They face a Villarreal side that are now a bit depleted due to injury and have entered into a frustrating run of form but remain potent enough to cause a threat. Athletic are favourites with their home advantage but it should be a fun watch for the neutral.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Tip: Athletic to win & both teams to score