Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club have enjoyed a couple of impressive seasons as the Basque giants prepare to take on Rayo Vallecano at the San Mames in Bilbao this weekend.
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 Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: A strong Athletic
Athletic Club began their season with an entertaining 3-2 defeat of Sevilla as Athletic went 2-0 up before Sevilla fought back to 2-2. They eventually managed to steer themselves to victory, courtesy of a Ruben Navarro winner in the 81st minute.
Ernesto Valverde’s side finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League last season, with their real success this season being that Nico Williams signed a new contract in Bilbao, despite it appearing as though he was moving to Barcelona.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Entertaining Rayo
Rayo Vallecano surpassed all expectations to finish eighth and qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, and they began their return to Europe with a 1-0 defeat of Neman Grodno in the first-leg of their playoff round tie in midweek.
Rayo, coached by Andoni Iraola’s former assistant coach Inigo Perez, play an intense and aggressive style of football that may hurt them as they balance European and domestic commitments, but Rayo have impressed at the start of this season.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Yeray suspended
Athletic centre-back Yeray Alvarez remains suspended, and they have some key injury issues for this weekend, too, such as midfield duo Benat Prados and Oihan Sancet.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams; Maroan Sannadi
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yeray (Suspended), Benat Prados (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured)
Questionable: Unai Gomez (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Could rotate
Rayo have had European commitments in midweek, so they could rotate this weekend. They remain without centre-back Abdul Mumin due to his ACL injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Pablo Diaz, Afonso Espino; Unai Lopez, Ciss; Alvaro Garcia, Isi Palazon, Jorge de Frutos; Sergio Camello
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Athletic were often frustrating to watch last season, despite an abundance of attacking options, but they were very strong in the final third last weekend. Rayo should be fresh after rotating in midweek and they have started in excellent form after they dispatched Girona by three goals to one in Catalonia last weekend. This one should be quite a fun watch for the neutral between two of the better teams to watch in La Liga.
Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Both teams to score
