Ath Bilbao vs Granada CF prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-04-18 19:00.
[p]Despite their Copa del Rey title celebrations being rudely cut short by a 1-1 draw against in-form Villarreal, Athletic Club continued what remains their finest ever season in terms of points since the âthree points for a winâ era began in 1995/96. Head coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted with their performance in âa tough matchâ following some well deserved celebrations, not least because it kept their chances of upgrading their Europa League slot to a Champions League berth alive.[/p]
[p]The home draw with Villarreal, in which Athletic conceded a controversial penalty late in the game, saw them match the longest active unbeaten run this season in La Liga home matches (W11, D4) with Real Madrid. Given that includes a perfect seven wins from seven home games against clubs starting this round in the bottom half of the table, they have every reason to be confident of improving on their 1-1 draw away to Granada in December.[/p]
[p]But Granada may have found a new lease on life after a 2-0 win at home to AlavĂ©s gave them some hope of avoiding relegation, though thereâs still an enormous task ahead of them to close an 11-point deficit to 17th-placed Celta Vigo at the start of the round. Manager JosĂ© RamĂłn Sandoval stressed the importance of maintaining the clubâs âdignityâ by fighting through to the end, but also called for the players to enjoy what will likely be their last seven top-flight games for some time.[/p]
[p]Securing back-to-back wins looks unlikely on the basis of the lengthy gaps between their only three victories of the season, especially when they have lost 13 of 15 La Liga away trips this campaign (D2). But when considering the combination of six of their last eight league defeats at all venues coming by a single-goal margin, the 3-3 draw away to Barcelona inbetween, and the draw in the reverse H2H, Granada havenât been as far off the pace as their table position suggests.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Gorka Guruzeta will look to get back on the scoresheet after assisting Oihan Sancetâs goal last round, particularly as Athletic won 12 of his 13 scoring appearances across all competitions this season. Myrto Uzuniâs strike from the penalty spot against AlavĂ©s was the fourth time this calendar year he recorded Granadaâs opening goal of a league game.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: The last eight La Liga matches involving either club all produced under 2.5 total goals. [/p]