Las Palmas vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-03-09 15:15.
[p]After gaining promotion from Spain’s second division last season, pre-season expectations at Las Palmas may have been to avoid a relegation battle and preserve their La Liga status. Instead, the plucky Yellow Ones find themselves sitting in eighth spot after 27 matches and much closer to a fight for European qualification, as they look to claim a La Liga top-ten finish for the first time since the 1978/79 season.[/p]
[p]They fought back brilliantly to claim a point on the road against Getafe (3-3) last round, albeit with that result extending their run to just one win from their last six league outings (D3, L2). A return to Estadio Gran Canaria may provide them a much-needed spark, especially as GarcĂa Pimienta’s side haven’t lost any of their last six La Liga games at this venue against Athletic Bilbao – the club’s current second-longest home unbeaten run against any side in the competition.[/p]
[p]That record will come under threat against an Athletic side who have had a strong campaign themselves, most recently drawing 0-0 with reigning champions Barcelona. Described by head coach Ernesto Valverde as “a great point”, it kept the Basque outfit in fifth spot as they look to make a long-awaited return to the Champions League. Supplementary success may also be on the agenda in the Copa del Rey as they reached the final for the third time across the last five seasons just over one week ago, with a stunning 4-0 aggregate win against Atletico Madrid. [/p]
[p]The visitors’ recent away form could potentially prove their downfall here, as they arrive in the Canary Islands having won none of their last four away La Liga outings (D2, L2). That run has seen Athletic fail to score on three separate occasions, whilst overall, they’ve netted just 12 away goals in 13 such matches this campaign – a return stronger than only four other sides after the end of last round! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Las Palmas’ Sandro RamĂrez finally broke his La Liga duck this season at the weekend by scoring his first goal in 16 league appearances, whilst his three H2H goals have all come at home. Athletic could look to Gorka Guruzeta for success, as they’ve won during eight of his nine goal scoring league appearances this season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Las Palmas have conceded 5.89 corners per La Liga match this term – the highest tally of any side. [/p]