Sevilla vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-07 16:30.
The next chapter in the managerial career of 26-year veteran Jorge Sampaoli begins with his long-awaited return to Sevilla, six seasons on from his first stint in charge of the club. After he fulfilled the objectives of the Sevilla board in 2016/17 with what was then their second-greatest La Liga (LL) points haul in club history, alongside a run to the Champions League (UCL) Round of 16, there was little wonder they had him in their sights to replace outgoing Julen Lopetegui long before Sevilla’s humiliating 1-4 midweek UCL loss to Dortmund.
Santos, Atlético Mineiro and Marseille all improved their positions within one season under Sampaoli, so a lot will be expected of him despite the challenge posed by Sevilla’s joint-worst seven-game LL start (W1, D2, L4). A muscle strain to defender Karim Rekik, Sevilla’s only home goalscorer this LL season, has not made Sampaoli’s return any easier, particularly as Sevilla conceded seven goals in two matches (against Barcelona and Manchester City) during his previous injury layoff.
Athletic Bilbao’s two 0-1 losses to Sevilla last LL season ultimately kept them out of European competition for a fifth consecutive time – their longest UEFA drought of this century. But it has so far been third time lucky for former player Ernesto Valverde when it comes to taking charge at San MamĂ©s after two previous stints, with Athletic amongst the UCL positions heading into the round.
October is shaping up as a “make or break'' month for the eight-time league winners. This clash, in addition to fixtures against AtlĂ©tico Madrid, Barcelona and Villarreal – all of whom have to juggle a very busy month of European competition – will be a revealing test of whether Valverde can establish his side as a genuine top-four threat ahead of the World Cup break.
Players to watch: New Sevilla arrival Isco has an unbeaten career record of W3, D1 against Athletic when recording a goal or assist, while Athletic’s Iñaki Williams is the only current member of either squad to score in two LL H2Hs since 2018/19.
Hot streak: The five most recent LL H2Hs have resulted in one-goal margins to the winner, whilst the last eight all saw one or no first-half goals scored.