Las Palmas vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-09-14 16:30.
[p]It could be another tense La Liga season for Las Palmas if the opening month was anything to go by. They’ve matched their four-round start to 2023/24 (D2, L2) and in the same manner as last season, drawing their first two home games and coming home from their first two away trips empty-handed. It was not long thereafter that they turned a corner to head into the 2023 Christmas break as a top-half club, so they’ll be hoping history continues to repeat itself in that aspect![/p]
[p]As manager Luis Carrión pursues his maiden La Liga win, he faces some potentially tough assignments in the coming weeks. They were beaten twice by their next opponent Athletic Bilbao as part of a run of just one La Liga win (D2, L11) against the seven clubs to occupy the European placings, though Carrión wants his players to draw a wealth of confidence from being in a position where he felt they should have beaten Real Madrid in their last home outing (D 1-1).[/p]
[p]Athletic used the international break to lick their wounds following what long-time manager Ernesto Valverde described as “a bitter blow”. A costly stoppage time mistake from Iñigo Lekue led to the only goal of their 1-0 loss to Atlético Madrid, giving them their worst four-game start in four La Liga seasons (W1, D1, L2). Their home record, which was amongst the best of the competition last campaign, has already been significantly dented. [/p]
[p]Following an away game against Barcelona which they ultimately found too difficult (L 2-1), this pair of trips to Las Palmas and Leganés presents a great opportunity to sharpen up their away performances. Las Palmas were one of three bottom-half finishers that Athletic did the double against last league season, though draws away to the three relegated teams in that same season underlines that no struggling opposition can be taken for granted.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Popular recruit Oli McBurnie is working his way towards ending Las Palmas’ 18-game winless drought in this competition with two assists so far. Athletic’s Gorka Guruzeta is also yet to open his account this season and the team could benefit greatly from his own success after winning 12 of his 14 goal scoring appearances in all competitions last season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: From Athletic’s last 17 games in all competitions, 76% saw under 2.5 total goals scored. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]