Elche vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-09-10 14:15.
Elche fell to a 4-0 derby defeat against Villarreal without registering a shot on target last weekend, maintaining their status as one of only four La Liga (LL) teams still without a win this season (D1, L3). In the aftermath, Elche manager Francisco RodrĂguez admitted that the feeling around his team is "worrying" and with just one LL goal scored and nine conceded so far, theyâll need to improve quickly if they want to avoid another relegation battle.
Elcheâs home form wonât offer fans much comfort, as they have triumphed just once in their past five LL contests (D2, L2) without keeping a clean sheet in the same run. Their latest defeat at the Estadio Manuel MartĂnez Valero – in their last match here versus Sociedad – was the second of three games that they have failed to score in this campaign, but they may get some encouragement from a positive H2H record against opponents Athletic Bilbao, having lost only one of their previous five meetings here in all competitions over 90 minutes (W1, D3).
Athleticâs 1-0 home defeat to Espanyol last round marked a mixed start to their campaign (W2, D1, L1) with manager Ernesto Valverde stating that his side lost "in a way that you can't explain". He wonât be panicking just yet however, as his backline has shown defensive prowess, with Espanyolâs goal marking the first they have conceded this season!
Valverde went on to mention that his side "completely dominated the first half" in that contest, though this is nothing new for an Athletic side that have conceded just one first-half goal in their last ten LL outings. They were menacing up top in a 4-0 demolition of CĂĄdiz on their last away trip too, in a result that saw Athletic hit four or more goals in a league away game for the first time since February 2021, so they will likely arrive here full of confidence with one eye on maintaining their current spot within the LL European places.
Players to watch: Youngster Ălex Collado has scored Elcheâs only goal this season, whilst Iñaki Williamsâ incredible record of the most consecutive appearances in LL appeared in serious threat after he had suffered an ankle sprain recently, but he will likely feature for his 238th straight league game after netting in Athleticâs last away contest.
Hot stat: Four of Elcheâs last eight LL home goals have arrived after the 80th-minute mark.