Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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After such an impressive campaign last year, Athletic Club will be looking to kick on and push into the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots as they now welcome Espanyol to San Mames this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 19th October, 2024 - 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 Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: EXCITING ATHLETIC
Coached by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club won their first trophy in over 40 years with a Copa del Rey triumph last season and this season’s goal would be to push into the top four and go deep into a UEFA Europa League campaign whereby the final of that competition is actually at Athletic’s home ground of San Mames.
After a slow-ish start to the season, the Basque giants did enjoy a much-improved run of form in the last month or so but they went into the October international break on the back of a frustrating 2-1 defeat against Girona in which Uruguay international striker Cristhian Stuani scored a 99th minute winning penalty for the Catalans.
ESPANYOL PREVIEW: OVERPERFORMING ESPANYOL
Following promotion back to the top-flight last season by overturning a first-leg deficit in the playoff final against Real Oviedo, Espanyol lost manager Luis Garcia as he became Tintin Marquez’ assistant coach with the Qatari national team. He was replaced by Espanyol’s B team coach, Manolo Gonzalez.
With pressure and expectations quite low, things seemed like they would inevitably drift to quite a soft relegation this season but the Catalans have instead showed some fight and their most recent outing saw them defeat Real Mallorca by 2-1 goals to one thanks to goals from Marash Kumbulla and Jofre Carreras.
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES
In that game against Girona in which Cristhian Stuani scored the late penalty, that penalty came about as a result of a challenge and subsequent red card for Aitor Paredes.
The key centre-back is now suspended for this weekend and will join Spain and Athletic’s number one goalkeeper Unai Simon on the sidelines, who has been out all season.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Padilla; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Unai Nunez, Andoni Gorosabel; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Ander Herrera; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured), Aitor Paredes (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Mikel Vesga (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured)
ESPANYOL TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTES
Espanyol have several injury issues for this weekend’s trip to the Basque Country and they will be forced into a couple of changes for this one at San Mames.
Fernando Calero is an injury absentee for this weekend, whilst central midfielder Edu Exposito is also an absentee with both Javi Puado and Leandro Cabrera doubtful for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Sergi Gomez, Kumbulla, Carlos Romero; Jorge Gragera, Pol Lozano; Jofre Carreras, Kral, Irvin Cardona; Veliz
UNAVAILABLE: Fernando Calero (Injured), Edu Exposito (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Leandro Cabrera (Injured), Javi Puado (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS ESPANYOL PREDICTION
With the Williams brothers, Nico and Inaki, forming an attack that also consists of the likes of Alex Berenguer, Yuri Berchiche, Gorka Guruzeta and the excellent Oihan Sancet; Athletic will always be fun to watch. Espanyol, though, have found a way of making this extremely tedious for the neutral so far this season and they will once again look to create a low-scoring encounter, even if Athletic should still come out on top with their home advantage.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS ESPANYOL TIP: ATHLETIC TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
