Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a bit of a derby as Athletic Club welcome Osasuna to the Basque Country with Athletic fading and Osasuna challenging for European qualification in La Liga.
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: Ernesto Valverde departing
Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat at San Mames against Villarreal with goals from Sergi Cardona and Alfon scoring before a late consolation from industrious striker Gorka Guruzeta.
The Basque giants have now succumbed to back-to-back losses as they sit in the bottom-half of the table, level with Girona. Ernesto Valverde is departing at the end of this season.
Osasuna preview: Push for Europe
Osasuna head into the top-half of the table as the visitors begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the top eight and the potential European qualification spots in La Liga.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Betis at El Sadar in Pamplona last weekend, meaning that they have now suffered just one defeat in their last five matches.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend as defensive midfielder Benat Prados works his way back from a long-term knee issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Inigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Benat Prados (Fitness)
Osasuna team news: Couple of suspensions
Osasuna are dealing with a couple of suspension issues for this one as centre-back Alejandro Catena is sidelined alongside Asier Osambela, with Iker Benito sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Rosier, Jorge Herrando, Abel Bretones, Javi Galan; Jon Moncayola, Iker Munoz; Raul Garcia, Aimar Oroz, Victor Munoz; Budimir
Unavailable: Alejandro Catena (Suspended), Asier Osambela (Suspended), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna prediction
Athletic have struggled for consistency throughout this campaign with injuries and an intense schedule meaning that they have struggled for much cohesion or energy, either, at either end of the pitch. They face an Osasuna side that will believe they can, at the very least, avoid defeat at San Mames in a game that is expected to be quite feisty and potentially interesting for the neutral.
Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna tip: Double chance – Osasuna to win or draw
