Ath Bilbao vs Elfsborg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-27 17:45.
[p]As the UEFA Europa League (UEL) resumes for matchday five, an in-form Athletic Club are looking to extend their wonderful recent form. The Lions have now lost just one of their last 14 games in all competitions (W8, D5), and theyâll be back at San MamĂ©s for this fixture just days after beating Real Sociedad 1-0 in the Basque derby here. [/p]
[p]Athletic are yet to lose in the UEL this campaign (W3, D1), winning both their home games âto nilâ. And with the only failure to win coming on matchday one in the form of a draw against Roma, Ernesto Valverde’s men have the chance to win four consecutive UEL matches for just the third time, after first achieving that feat back in 2011/12 when they went all the way to the final![/p]
[p]Visiting Elfsborg wonât be arriving full of fear, having put together a four-game unbeaten run (W2, D2) including a 1-1 draw against Braga last time out in this competition. But having finished seventh in this seasonâs Allsvenskan, itâs now time for the Swedes to address some sketchy UEL form having lost both of their away fixtures in the league phase, though an unbeaten home return sees them start the round just inside the qualification places.[/p]
[p]They did manage to score 2+ goals in each of those travelling defeats too, and have already shown they can upset the odds by beating Roma on matchday two. With their domestic season already finished, shaking off any competitive rust will likely be key to extending their European journey in what is their first UEL proper campaign since 2013/14! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Oihan Sancetâs winner against Sociedad was his sixth goal of the season, having already struck at home in the UEL for Athletic this campaign against AZ. Meanwhile, Elfsborgâs Emil Holten was on target in a friendly win over Djurgarden on Friday and also produced a Flashscore Man of the Match performance when scoring in that 1-1 UEL draw with Braga. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Elfsborgâs last seven away goals in the UEL have come via seven different scorers![/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]