Ath Bilbao vs Leganes prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-01-25 17:30.
[p]Despite enjoying their longest unbeaten run (W7, D4) in La Liga since 1985, fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao go into action this weekend after losing three of their last four games (W1) across all competitions. In fact, considering their early January Copa del Rey win over fourth-tier Logroñés required extra-time, the Lions have completed only one 90-minute victory since the turn of the year![/p]
[p]They were soundly beaten 4-1 by Beşiktaş in the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday and Ernesto Valverde will be delighted to return to La Liga action where they have conceded just 18 goals from their opening 20 games. With only seven of those goals coming at the Estadio San Mamés, Athletic will fancy their chances of returning to form against lowly Leganés, a side they defeated in four of the last six H2Hs (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]But the hosts will need to be very wary of under-estimating Los Pepineros who ended Atlético Madrid’s 15-game winning run last weekend with a 1-0 victory. That made it a combined four league and cup games without defeat (W3, D1) and Borja Jiménez will bring his side to the Basque Country, where they have collected points on each of their last six trips against various sides (W1, D5), on an unbeaten away run of six games across all competitions (W4, D2). [/p]
[p]In La Liga alone, Leganés have not lost any of their last three away fixtures (W1, D2) and making it four in a row would be a club top-flight record. However, they failed to score more than one goal in nine of their ten La Liga away games so far this season and that is an area that they will likely need to improve if they are to pull away from the threat of relegation across the second half of the campaign.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Unai GĂłmez directly contributed to a goal in Athletic’s last two La Liga games (G1, A1) and was their only name on the scoresheet in Wednesday’s heavy defeat in Turkey. Miguel de la Fuente has enjoyed his last two away games for LeganĂ©s, providing an assist against Espanyol and scoring from the penalty spot in AlmerĂa. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Leganés trailed at half-time in only one of their ten league away games (HT: W3, D6, L1) this season. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]