Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Espanyol are hovering just above the bottom three and the relegation places as the Catalans now prepare to take on an extremely impressive Athletic Club side at the RCDE Stadium.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th February, 2025: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Preview: Managing to improve
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Espanyol endured a fairly miserable opening few months to their return to La Liga but the Catalans have since massively improved as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting outside of the bottom three.
The home team, under the management of former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez, come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Basque Country last week. Prior to that, they had been winless in their previous five matches across all competitions.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Exciting Athletic
Former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is in charge of an Athletic Club side that are hoping to push for a UEFA Europa League final to be held at San Mames in May but also holding on to the coattails of the title race in La Liga.
The Basque giants begin the 24th match day sitting just six points behind league leaders Real Madrid. They hammered Girona by three goals to one at San Mames last weekend thanks to a hat-trick scored by the excellent Oihan Sancet in what was a dominant performance.
Espanyol Team News: A few issues
Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco is sidelined due to an ankle injury for this one alongside experienced midfielder Jose Gragera, as he deals with a foot issue. They also have some key doubts, too, such as Brian Olivan, Pol Lozano and Urko Gonzalez de Zarate.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera; Javi Puado, Alvaro Tejero, Kral, Alex Roca; Edu Exposito, Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Fernando Pacheco (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Questionable: Brian Olivan (Injured), Pol Lozano (Injured), Urko Gonzalez (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: A few doubts
Athletic Club have a few key injury doubts for this weekend with Unai Nunez, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Nico Williams all dealing with hamstring issues, whilst another attacker, Alvaro Djalo, has a slight ankle issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Yeray, Yuri Berchiche; Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Unai Nunez (Injured), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Alvaro Djalo (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Espanyol have been steadily improving throughout the season following the appointment of Manolo Gonzalez and that is some achievement given their shock departure of Luis Garcia to become assistant to Tintin Marquez at the Qatari national team. However, they now face an Athletic side that have put together an impressive squad that play an impressive style of football with the Basque giants likely to play on the front foot regardless of player availability. Given just how good they were against Girona last weekend, backing them once again is the way to go for this one.
Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Athletic Club to win
