Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal
Spanish La Liga 2016/17
Date: Sunday, 20th November 2016,
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio San Mames, Bilbao.
Athletic is not showing anything special this season and it can all be called average, both in the championship and in Europa League. Only one victory more than they made defeats in the championship, with two draws and their traditionally better games at home, where they this season only lost to Barcelona, but with a lot of problems. It is a shame they did not defeat Osasuna and neighbours from Pamplona, who took away one point, while they defeated their second Basque rival Real Sociedad after the overturn with 3-2.
It was their last championship win, because they after that lost in Madrid against Real, and they were close to a draw, which they played in the aforementioned match against Osasuna and then in the last round with Espanyol. In Europa League, the “Pride of Basque Country” will have a big fight in the remaining two rounds, as all four teams have one point difference. Between the two above-mentioned draws in the league, they defeated Genk at home after the defeat in Belgium. When it comes to their composition, Etxeita and Benat had some problems, but they will be ready, while de Marcos is out of action.
Probable lineups Athletic Bilbao: Arrizabalaga – Boveda, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga – San Jose, Bernat – Williams, Raul Garcia, Muniain – Aduriz
Villarreal
Villarreal is in the excellent third place, but they can even regret that they do not have more points. They lost only once two rounds ago and that was away against Eibar, where they had the lead until ten minutes before the end and then received two goals. This is too bad especially because they managed to remain undefeated against Real in Madrid, while they at home before this round have the best effect in the league with five wins, and only one draw.
In the last round, they quite easily defeated Betis with 2-0 and played with the current strongest team, as opposed to the match in Europa League against Osmanlispor, where they blundered at home and lost with 2-1 which brought them in an unfavourable situation. Their match in Zurich on Thursday will probably be crucial and it is certain that coach Escriba will not gamble and he will perform with the strongest composition, like in this duel, which he might even play with exactly the same team as against Betis. They have no major injury problems and only striker Soldado is out of action for some time, as well as Jokic, while all the others are ready for their match in Bilbao.
Probable lineups Villarreal: Asenjo – Mario, V.Ruiz, Musacchio, J.Costa – Trigueros, B.Soriano, Castillejo, R.Soriano – Bakambu, N.Sansone
Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal: Head to Head statistics
Villarreal have been the better side in their past meetings, with 15 wins over Bilbao from 34 games. They have lost 10 games to Athletic Bilbao and drawn 9 games. Athletic Bilbao have been better at home, they have won 7 games and drawn 5, and they have also lost 5 to Villarreal. Their last 5 meetings have favoured Bilbao, as they have won 3 drawn 1 and lost 1.
Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal: Prediction
Villarreal may be better in form, but their poor away form this season is a thing of worry. Villarreal have won just one away game in all competitions this season and have also lost one while the rest ended draw.
The game will most likely favour the home team, but we expect the game to end in draw.
Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal: Betting Tips
Full time result – Draw at 3.20
Under 2.5 goals at 1.60.
