Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Athletic Club have been inconsistent throughout the campaign as they now take on an Espanyol side also pushing for a top four finish in La Liga after 16 matches thus far.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Inconsistent Athletic
Coached by Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club have been inconsistent so far this season after they qualified for the UEFA Champions League last season. The Basque giants did manage to edge past lower league Ourense in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
In La Liga, Athletic suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo at Balaidos in Galicia last weekend due to second-half strikes from Williot Swedberg and Jonas El Abdellaoui. They have failed to win back-to-back matches since August.
Espanyol preview: Impressive Espanyol
Having avoided relegation on the final day of last season, Espanyol underwent a takeover by Burnley owner Alan Pace in the summer and the Catalans have been the surprise package of the 2025/26 La Liga season, pushing for a top four finish.
Manolo Gonzalez’ side begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just four points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth, having enjoyed four successive victories in the league ahead of this one.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Defensive issues
Athletic are dealing with plenty of defensive injury issues for this one as Aymeric Laporte is out injured and fellow centre-back Dani Vivian is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Inigo Lekue, Aitor Paredes, Boiro; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Dani Vivian (Suspended), Yeray (Disciplinary), Laporte (Injured), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yuri Berchiche (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol team news: Pickel at AFCON
Charles Pickel is away on international duty at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations with the Democratic Republic of Congo, while other key midfielders Ramon Terrats and Javi Puado are missing through injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre Carreras, Urko Gonzalez, Edu Exposito, Pere Milla; Roberto Fernandez, Kike
Unavailable: Ramon Terrats (Injured), Pickel (International duty), Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol prediction
Espanyol’s most recent outing saw them defeat Getafe by a goal to nil. They are grinding out victories, despite the fact that Manolo Gonzalez has got them playing more of a proactive style of football. They face an Athletic side that are dealing with inconsistency, brought about by fatigue and availability issues, and siding with the visitors in a low-scoring encounter may well be a good value bet for this one at San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol tip: Espanyol to win & under 3.5 goals
