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Performances have been bright but results have been frustrating for Leganes, following their promotion to La Liga last season, and they now face an Athletic Club side that will be targeting a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification this year.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 19th September, 2024 - UK – 6:00pm / US ET – 1:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Leganes vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
LEGANES PREVIEW: LEGA BETTER THAN THE TABLE SHOWS
Under the management of Borja Jimenez, Leganes have a plan to play quite a progressive and attractive style of football which helped them win the second-tier last season. They have put in some good performances so far this season without just reward, managing just one victory in their opening five matches of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Madrid-based club come into this one on the back of a disappointing and underwhelming 2-0 defeat down in Andalusia at the Benito Villamarin at the weekend against Real Betis. Things were tight before Abde Ez opened the scoring in the 74th minute and then Vitor Roque sealed defeat for Leganes in the 86th minute.
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: ATHLETIC BETTER THAN THE TABLE SHOWS
Following winning their first trophy in 40 years with Copa del Rey glory last season as well as an impressive fifth placed finish in the league, Ernesto Valverde would have been expected to deliver a genuine tilt at a top four place this time around but injuries have hampered their start to the season.
The Basque giants did begin quite slowly but managed an entertaining and much-needed 3-2 defeat of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands at the weekend, despite being down to ten men for over half an hour. Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams sparkled with Aitor Paredes’ 76th minute strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.
LEGANES TEAM NEWS: FINDING A FORMULA
After playing for Peru during the September international break, experienced midfield summer signing Renato Tapia is a doubt for Leganes for the visit of Athletic.
Borja Jimenez has a variety of options in attack with substitutes proving to be key thus far but he has struggled to settle on a settled method and formula in attack in these early stages.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Juan Soriano; Rosier, Jorge Saenz, Sergio, Javi Hernandez; Brasanac, Neyou; Juan Cruz, Oscar, Enric Franquesa; Haller
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Renato Tapia (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: STILL NO UNAI SIMON
Spain’s UEFA EURO 2024 starting goalkeeper Unai Simon has been sidelined with injury throughout the season so far and he remains sidelined with a wrist issue.
As well as Unai Simon, key centre-back Yeray Alvarez is dealing with a hamstring injury and Mikel Jauregizar is also unavailable due to suspension after last week’s red card.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Jon Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Ander Herrera, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured), Yeray (Injured), Mikel Jauregizar (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
LEGANES VS ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTION
As mentioned a couple of times, the league table and results so far do not represent the quality and mindset that Leganes possess. The hosts will, once again, seek to take the game to their opponents and Athletic’s entertaining style of football may well aid quite a fun match for the neutral but the expectation and reality remains that the quality on the counter for the visitors means an away win is the best bet.
LEGANES VS ATHLETIC BILBAO TIP: ATHLETIC CLUB TO WIN