Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These are two of the most entertaining teams in La Liga and they both are aiming for UEFA Champions League qualification this season as Villarreal welcome Athletic Club to El Madrigal.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 6th April, 2025: 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 Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Villarreal Preview: Entertaining Yellow Submarine
Coached by former Valencia boss Marcelino, Villarreal have been brilliant to watch throughout the campaign with their 28 matches in La Liga consisting of 90 goals. They begin this weekend sitting behind fourth place Athletic Club by six points.
After back-to-back defeats before the March international break, the Yellow Submarine managed to get back on the winning track last weekend with a 2-1 defeat of Getafe at the Coliseum courtesy of goals from forwards Ayoze Perez and Thierno Barry.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: A strong Basque side
Athletic Club, with former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde in his second stint in charge, have been excellent to watch throughout the last couple of seasons as they also aim to get to the UEFA Europa League final this season, which is being held at their home ground, San Mames.
Aside from Europe, they have also remained strong in La Liga and have flirted with being involved in the title race at times this year. Whilst that is no longer the case, they have remained strong in the league, albeit were held to a goalless draw at home by Osasuna last week.
Villarreal Team News: Key doubts
The hosts are dealing with a few key doubts for this weekend such as Senegal international defensive midfielder Pape Gueye, Canada international Tajon Buchanan and last weekend’s match winner, Thierno Barry.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Kambwala, Sergi Cardona; Gerard, Santi Comesana, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena; Ayoze, Yeremy Pino
Unavailable: Akhomach (Injured)
Questionable: Gueye (Injured), Buchanan (Injured), Barry (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Couple of injuries
Athletic Club are dealing with a couple of injury issues as they make the trip down to Castellon this weekend as centre-back Dani Vivian remains a doubt, whilst midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is also sidelined due to injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured)
Questionable: Dani Vivian (Injured)
Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
La Liga is in a position in the UEFA coefficient ranking where they will likely get the extra UEFA Champions League spot this season and they sit tucked inside the top five but the form of Real Betis, who have enjoyed six successive victories, have majorly put the pressure on the hosts. They now face an Athletic side that indeed are comfortably tucked inside the top four or five with focus now being on the UEFA Europa League. This should be quite a fun watch for the neutral with both teams scoring seeming quite likely.
Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Both teams to score
