Ath Bilbao vs Espanyol prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-12-21 20:00.
[p]Athletic Club continue to search for the winning consistency that upcoming opponents Espanyol have established ahead of this clash between two European qualification contenders. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Athletic continue to frustrate after losing 2-0 at Celta Vigo, and with the Lions having failed to earn back-to-back wins since late August, it is no surprise that supporters are getting exasperated as they endure their worst La Liga campaign at this stage in four years. The Basque outfit start the round seven points adrift of the top-five and will need to make the most of this encounter at San MamĂ©s ahead of three consecutive away league trips to begin 2026, yet with a 1-0 victory over AtlĂ©tico Madrid here earlier this month their fifth of the campaign already (D1, L3), there’s every reason to believe they can live up to their favourites tag.[/p]
[p]Espanyol have defied predictions of a relegation scrap to sit fifth, firmly in the mix for their first European foray since 2019/20. After masterminding a fourth successive La Liga win last time out, manager Manolo González joked about retiring now before the dream run ends and made it clear that the team’s first aim is to reach 42 points before they consider greater ambitions. The Parakeets are worthy top-five contenders and are the only side yet to concede 3+ goals in a single game in the league this season, and a return of three clean-sheet victories in their last four La Liga trips (L1) underlines their strength in all facets.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Espanyol’s only win in the last ten H2Hs (D4, L5) came at this venue in September 2022, while seven of those ten meetings saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Athletic’s last six La Liga matches have only seen the winners score. [/p]
[p]Athletic have scored first in just seven La Liga games this season, but have won all seven.[/p]
[p]Only Barcelona (13) have won more second halves than Espanyol (nine) in the league this term ahead of the weekend. [/p]
[p]Five of Espanyol’s last six La Liga away games have produced fewer than 2.5 goals. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Athletic are on a six-game winning streak when Nico Williams scores, with five of those goalscoring appearances coming at home. Roberto Fernández has netted in three Espanyol victories on their own turf this season, but his only goal on the road this term came in a defeat (2-1 against Alavés).[/p]
[p]Athletic’s players seemingly suffered no injuries during their recent Copa del Rey win in extra time over third-tier Ourense, but centre-back Dani Vivian is suspended here. Espanyol are without Charles Pickel after his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.  [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Both sides’ recent form makes an Espanyol win/draw a very appealing selection here. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]