Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo
Spanish La Liga
Date: Monday, 19th December 2016.
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio San Mames (Bilbao).
Athletic Bilbao has been winless in four of their last six matches to settle in the seventh spot of the Spanish top flight table after 15 rounds of competitions. The team is five points below the final Europa League qualifying berth for next season, currently occupied by sixth-running team Atletico Madrid.
Los Leones is coming off a 0-1 nipping in the hands of lowly squad Real Betis on the road at the Benito Villamarín Stadium last Sunday, as per ESPN.
Spanish forward Ruben Castro netted the lone goal of the match in the 18th minute with a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner of Athletic goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with the assist coming from Paraguayan forward Antonio Sanabria.
Both teams went scoreless after that as head coach Ernesto Valverde's side suffered their second loss in their last three games.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo was crushed by powerhouse squad Sevilla, 0-3, right at their home ground of Balaídos Stadium also last Sunday, The Guardian reported.
After a goalless first half of action, Sevilla team captain Vicente Iborra scored a hat trick in the 51st, 84th, and 90th+2 minutes to lead the visitors over head coach Eduardo Berizzo's squad.
It was the second loss for Os Célticos in the last four rounds as it was also their fourth winless performance in their last six assignments.
Celta Vigo is now in the 13th spot of the 20-team La Liga table, nine points above the bottom three relegation zone but seven points below the last Europa League qualifying berth.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 decision for Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Arrizabalaga; Balenziaga, Laporte, Boveda, Alvarez; Muniain, Garcia; San Jose, Williams, Benat; Aduriz
Celta Vigo starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Blanco; Jonny, Gomez, Roncaglia, Cabral; Sisto, Hernandez; Wass, Orellana, Diaz; Aspas
Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo: Head-to-head stats
Bilbao won both La Liga clashes against Celta last season – 2-1 at home and 1-0 in the away leg. The pair of wins is a clear reflection of their dominance over Celta in recent seasons. Out of the last 12 matches between them in all competitions, Athletic Bilbao bagged 7 wins and 3 draws, losing just twice. One of those Celta win came at San Mames on 2015 in a Copa Del Rey fixture.
Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo: Prediction
It is safe to go with Athletic Bilbao for this fixture, mainly based on their strong home form this season. They are unbeaten at home in the last 9 matches in all competitions with 8 wins and a draw. Also, they have a good head-to-head record over Celta. While Celta have struggled miserably in away matches. Bilbao to win is our main pick for this fixture and expect them to score at least twice here.
Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo: Bet Tips
Bilbao to win at 10/11 (1.90)
Over 1.5 team goals for Bilbao at 17/20 (1.85).
