Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club have enjoyed a very impressive season so far but the Basque giants may well be distracted ahead of the visit of European chasing Real Mallorca to San Mames this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 9th March, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: A bad week
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, conceding a second-half stoppage-time winner scored by Uzbekistan international Eldor Shomurodov.
The Basque giants will be desperate to overturn that deficit as they welcome Roma to Bilbao this week with the final of the competition being played at San Mames in May. Their feint title hopes were perhaps ended last weekend with a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Mallorca Preview: Majorcans need a win
Real Mallorca have tried to play a more proactive and progressive style of football following the appointment of former Osasuna boss Jago Arrasate last summer and the Balearic Islanders have still struggled for goals as they drift away from the top seven and the European spots.
The Majorcans come into this one on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with struggling Deportivo Alaves in Palma de Mallorca last week. That draw, in which they were 1-0 up at half-time, now means they are winless in their last six matches in La Liga with three defeats and three draws.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Potential rotation
With the second-leg against Roma taking place on Thursday, Athletic may be tempted to rotate this weekend. They are without Yeray Alvarez for that one due to his red card in the first-leg, whilst midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is missing through suspension domestically.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Yeray, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Vesga, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Suspended)
Questionable: Dani Vivian (Injured), Alvaro Djalo (Injured)
Mallorca Team News: Robert Navarro a doubt
Real Mallorca have no confirmed injury absentees or suspension issues as they make the trip across to the mainland this weekend with only young winger Robert Navarro a doubt due to a hamstring issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Greif; Pablo Maffeo, Valjent, Antonio Raillo, Johan Mojica; Omar Mascarell, Sergi Darder; Asano, Dani Rodriguez, Valery Fernandez; Muriqi
Unavailable:
Questionable: Robert Navarro (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Prediction
Athletic Club may well rotate this weekend and could well be distracted by the European tie against Roma with their title hopes now faded and a top four or five spot all but assured so their focus may well be on that game. With Mallorca improving and becoming difficult to beat again, getting closer to returning to winning ways recently, it could well be a good value bet to side with the visitors at San Mames this weekend.
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip: Double chance – Mallorca to win or draw
