Athletic Bilbao vs Oviedo Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club are desperately scrabbling around to find some form and consistency as they welcome a struggling newly-promoted Real Oviedo side to San Mames.
Kick-off date/time:
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Athletic Bilbao preview: Frustration in Bilbao
It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Athletic Club with Ernesto Valverde’s side having struggled to find much consistency throughout the campaign, and that has continued over the last week or so.
After a 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Real Sociedad in the Basque Country last weekend, Athletic then suffered a 2-0 loss at St James’ Park against Newcastle United in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Oviedo preview: Bizarre Asturians
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Real Oviedo performed reasonably well in the opening few weeks of the campaign, with a very tough fixture list, before they decided to part company with Veljko Paunovic.
The former Watford boss has been replaced by controversial returning manager Luis Carrion. After beginning with a defeat to Espanyol, the Asturians then shared back-to-back draws against Girona and then against Osasuna.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Plenty of issues
After their defeat to Newcastle, Athletic are dealing with plenty of injury issues as key men Yuri Berchiche, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta are all doubtful.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Boiro; Mikel Jauregizar, Alejandro Rego; Alex Berenguer, Mikel Vesga, Robert Navarro; Unai Gomez
Unavailable: Yeray (Disciplinary), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Inaki Williams (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable: Inigo Lekue (Injured), Yuri Berchiche (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Injured)
Oviedo team news: A few issues
Experienced former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla remains unavailable for Oviedo, alongside former Reading man Ovie Ejaria and Croatia international Josip Brekalo.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aaron; Nacho Vidal, Costas, Carmo, Javi Lopez; Alberto Reina, Dendoncker, Colombatto, Ilyas Chaira; Salomon Rondon, Fede Vinas
Unavailable: Alvaro Lemos (Injured), Santi Cazorla (Injured), Ejaria (Injured), Brekalo (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Oviedo prediction
Athletic Club have struggled for consistency throughout this season. They have lacked fluency and are struggling to deal with the intensity of both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, especially now with their plethora of injury issues. Oviedo were always expected to struggle and the bizarre treatment of Paunovic has perhaps only worsened their cause. Athletic are favourites but they can hardly rely on a convincing victory and may have to be quite obdurate.
Athletic Bilbao vs Oviedo tip: Athletic Bilbao to win & under 3.5 goals
