Ath Bilbao vs Plzen prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-29 20:00.
[p]An Athletic Bilbao side riding the wave of an impressive 12-game unbeaten league run are now looking to get the job done in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) by directly qualifying for the last 16, and despite suffering a 4-1 defeat to BeĆiktaĆ last Wednesday in the competition, the job is 99% done. Athletic would have to lose here to Viktoria PlzeĆ, as well as a host of other results needing to go against the Basque club in order for them to miss out on the top eight. [/p]
[p]Their manager Ernesto Valverde certainly wonât be resting on his laurels though, as a 0-0 draw to LeganĂ©s on Sunday stretched their winless home run to two games (D1, L1). That latest encounter underlined Athleticâs problems in front of goal, as they have scored only five times in their last six matches – including three blanks in regular time as part of that streak.  [/p]
[p]That may please PlzeĆ, for whom, despite having a play-off berth wrapped up, this is an absolutely crucial game in their own aspirations for direct last 16 qualification. In their first-ever meeting with Athletic, theyâll need to win in order to stand a chance of achieving that aim, but given that theyâve lost eight of eleven matches against Spanish opposition (W2, D1), this fixture represents a major obstacle. [/p]
[p]What may work in PlzeĆâs favour though is that theyâll be well rested, with their domestic league not having resumed following a winter break. And considering their opponents have had a demanding schedule recently, the Czech outfit will be travelling hoping to further extend an impressive run away from home, having lost just one of their last 13 games on the road in European competition, including qualifiers (W9, D3). Â [/p]
[p]Players to watch: With four UEL goals to his name so far this campaign, Iñaki Williams is in the golden boot race – Athletic have won the last ten matches in which heâs scored or assisted. Ex-Premier League man MatÄj Vydra has netted three times in this competition this term, while only two PlzeĆ players have ever scored more goals in a single European season![/p]
[p]Hot streak: Bilbao have won each of their three home UEL contests âto nilâ this campaign! [/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle [/i][/p]