Ath Bilbao vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-04-13 16:30.
[p]Fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao return to La Liga action against mid-table Villarreal one week after they lifted the Copa del Rey for the 24th time last weekend with a victory over Mallorca on penalties. That win guarantees their return to European competition for the first time since the 2017/18 season, but they could still upgrade that Europa League spot to a Champions League place as they come into this round just two points shy of fourth position.[/p]
[p]After finishing eighth last term, and with a seven-point cushion above Real Sociedad in sixth, it also looks increasingly likely that the Lions will improve on their previous campaign’s finishing spot. Much of their success this term can be put down to their excellent form at the Estadio San Mamés, where they have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 11 games and are unbeaten there in 17 matches across all competitions (W14, D3).[/p]
[p]Villarreal are certainly not as solid at the back having already conceded 53 league goals – with only the bottom two sides leaking more – whilst they have not kept a clean sheet on the road since early November! Despite those deficiencies, they sat comfortably in tenth place ahead of this gameweek, six points behind the top seven and 13 points above the relegation zone.[/p]
[p]The Yellow Submarine lost their last fixture courtesy of an 87th minute strike, but their league form since mid-January has been very strong, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona picking up more points over their last ten matches (W5, D4, L1). Building on that here looks like being a tough ask for Marcelino’s side, as they have won at this venue just once since Athletic moved here in 2013 (D3, L7).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Twelve of Gorka Guruzeta’s 15 goals this season have come at home, with Athletic Bilbao winning each time he has found the net at the San Mamés. Gerard Moreno assisted in Villarreal’s last game and has fond memories against Athletic, who he has contributed to five goals against across his career (G3, A2) including one of each in the H2H in November.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Athletic conceded prior to half-time in just one of 13 La Liga home games since the start of September. [/p]