Ath Bilbao vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-12-07 15:15.
[p]Confidence is mounting around Estadio San Mamés that this might be a memorable season for Athletic Bilbao. The Lions have won four successive games across all competitions for the first time since January, leaving them in fourth place in La Liga and firmly in the hunt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for only the second time this century.[/p]
[p]Their most recent result was arguably the best of the lot, as Ernesto Valverde’s side beat Real Madrid in the league for the first time in nearly a decade thanks to a 2-1 success on Wednesday night. The manager, in somewhat understated fashion, said such a result proves his team “are doing well,” and the form book suggests they have been heading in the right direction for some time, as Athletic are now ten games unbeaten (W7, D3) across all competitions.[/p]
[p]That doesn’t bode well for opponents Villarreal, who may be forgiven for making the long journey north already fearing the worst, given they have only won one of the last 11 H2Hs (D6, L4). The visitors have every right to be confident this time around though, as they are unbeaten in five games in the top-flight (W2, D3) since a 2-0 reversal to Real Madrid at the start of October.[/p]
[p]Their most recent La Liga fixture was a 2-2 draw with Girona, when the Yellow Submarine frustratingly let slip a two-goal lead. Marcelino GarcĂa Toral will be keen to ensure lightning does not strike twice in this match, as his side, who head into this round in fifth place and dreaming of a top-four finish for the first time in nine years, attempt to extend their run of just two defeats in their last 16 away games in the league (W9, D5).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Gorka Guruzeta’s late winner for Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday means he has netted first or last in his eight most recent scoring appearances. Looking to thwart him will be defender Raúl Albiol, although he has never been on the winning side against Athletic as a Villarreal player (D4, L3). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: 14 of Villarreal’s last 16 away league games have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]