Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction and Preview – 20/03/16
La Liga preview – Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao prediction.
Espanyol winger Burgui was excused from training earlier in the week in order to recharge his batteries and could be rested for the visit of Bilbao. Midfielders Victor Sanchez and Pape Diop return from suspension and are expected to start. Centre forward Felipe Caicedo is struggling with a hamstring strain and looks like missing out again while Marco Asensio faces a fitness test. Defensive midfielder Jose Canas will likely have to wait for his first appearance of 2016 while he regains fitness after breaking a toe and right-back Anaitz Arbilla is still in recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.
Bilbao suffered an early blow in the Europa League tie at Valencia on Thursday when Iker Muniain was injured after 25 minutes and the left winger will miss the trip to Barcelona. Mikel Balenziaga returns from suspension and should go straight in at left-back while Gorka Iraizoz is expected to return between the sticks. Striker Aritz Aduriz scored the crucial away goal in midweek that ensured his team’s progress to the next round of the Europa League, it takes his tally to 29 goals in all competitions this season.
Possible Line-ups
Espanyol 4-3-3 formation: P Lopez; J Lopez, Gonzalez, O Duarte, R Duarte; Sanchez, Diop, Abraham; Asensio, Moreno, Perez
Athletic Bilbao 4-2-3-1 formation: Iraizoz; Marcos, Exteita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; Susaeta, Garcia, Merino; Aduriz
Statistics
- Espanyol have won 3 drawn 2 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Athletic Bilbao have won 6 drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Espanyol have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 2.5 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Athletic Bilbao have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Espanyol’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Athletic Bilbao’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Espanyol’s survival hopes have improved following three wins and a draw in the last five games which have largely been against fellow relegation candidates. Constantin Galca’s side have defeated Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo at home in the last four weeks, either side of a 3-0 defeat at home to Real Betis. Espanyol’s inconsistent performances were typified in January when holding Barcelona 0-0 at home in the derby only to lose 5-0 when Real Sociedad visited a few weeks later.
Athletic Club won’t be too disappointed with a 2-1 defeat in Valencia which was enough to reach the next round. Ernesto Valverde’s side have won the last four league games and is on course for another season in Europe. Bilbao have won three of the last four road trips in La Liga finding Real Madrid too big a challenge at the Bernabeu in the other game.
Espanyol may have turned a corner but still struggle to keep clean sheets and it could be worth supporting the visitors who are high on confidence at the moment.
Tips
Athletic Bilbao to win at 33/25 with Marathonbet
Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 with Coral
Athletic Bilbao to win 2-1 at 9/1 with BetVictor
Click here to see more La Liga previews, predictions and tips