Espanyol vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-02-15 13:00.
[p]A 2-1 defeat last time out continued a streak of seven games for Espanyol which have produced differing results (W2, D3, L2), and such inconsistencies have defined their season so far as their top-flight credentials continue to be questioned. Espanyol have picked up fewer points now than at the same stage of nine of their last 11 completed La Liga campaigns, which makes ominous reading as they bid to stave off relegation. [/p]
[p]Avoiding such a fate will largely rely on Espanyol’s home form, which has proven solid of late as they aim for a seventh consecutive unbeaten La Liga home outing for the first time since 2021 (W3, D3). That run is bookended by a 1-0 win over title chasers Real Madrid last time out here, which has consequently seen Espanyol’s unbeaten rate as home league outsiders rise to an impressive 63% (W4, D1, L3). [/p]
[p]Providing the opposition are fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who are continuing their push for a first top-four finish since 2013/14. Ernesto Valverde’s men have achieved their current position by recording their joint-fewest defeats at this stage of any top-flight campaign in their history, which includes the longest ongoing unbeaten run in La Liga (W8, D6) and Athletic’s lengthiest stretch without such a defeat since 1985. [/p]
[p]Travelling to this particular venue often causes frustration for Athletic, although they did end a 23-game winless run of away league H2Hs here with a victory in their last visit. Draws are all Athletic managed to pick up when travelling to two of the lowest ranked four sides they’ve played (W2, D2), whilst Valverde himself has drawn three of his last five personal H2Hs here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Espanyol right-back Omar El Hilali has assisted both of his side’s last two home league goals – only Sergi Darder in 2022 has assisted three home goals for Espanyol in a row in the top-flight in the 21st century. For Athletic, Iñaki Williams has scored more La Liga goals against only one other side than the six he’s managed in 15 H2Hs against Espanyol. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Athletic have picked up only 39 La Liga yellow cards this season – the second-lowest tally.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]