Athletic Bilbao vs Elche Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Athletic Bilbao vs Elche on and what time does it start? Athletic Bilbao vs Elche will take place on Sunday 28th May, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Elche? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Athletic Bilbao vs Elche on in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Elche will be televised live on LaLigaTV (Sky channel 435, Virgin channel 554) for those with a Viaplay subscription, while Sky and Virgin customers can also sign up to the channel.
Where can I stream Athletic Bilbao vs Elche in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Elche can be streamed live on Viaplay
THE LOWDOWN
Athletic Bilbao
The summer re-appointment of former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde sparked an early improvement in performances and results this season. The Basque club have suffered from inconsistency for much of the campaign but head into the penultimate round of fixtures firmly in the battle for a top seven finish and potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.
The home team do come into this on the back of a 2-0 defeat away to their top seven rival contenders, Osasuna, in their most recent outing, during the midweek. That victory saw Osasuna leapfrog Athletic into seventh with goals from Ante Budimir and Lucas Torro in the second-half.
That loss is a continuation of their inconsistency throughout the campaign. They have now suffered three defeats in their last four matches as they stumble towards the end of the 2022/23 season. They are one of just seven clubs in La Liga to have both scored and conceded over 40 goals so far.
Elche
It has been a really difficult and damaging season for Elche. Throughout the 2022/23 La Liga campaign, they have been rock-bottom in the table and didn’t win until the turn of the year. They have managed to improve slightly as the rest of the season has gone on but had their relegation mathematically confirmed some time ago.
As mentioned, they have managed to improve and are seeking to round off their stint back in the Spanish top-flight with some much-needed pride restored. Their 1-1 draw with Sevilla in midweek, in which Sevilla were down to ten men for over 70 minutes of the match, means they have suffered just one defeat in their last five matches.
In that run of form, they have managed two victories, two draws and a defeat. Those two wins, though, have come at home against Rayo Vallecano, whom they thumped 4-0, and Atletico Madrid, edging past Los Rojiblancos by a goal to nil.
THE PREDICTION
With two games of the season to go, there is still a lot to play for the hosts. Ernesto Valverde will come under scrutiny in the Athletic dugout, especially considering that he was appointed to improve upon Marcelino's own mid-table finishes at San Mames. They are level on points with seventh-placed Osasuna ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures. Elche, on the other hand, have very little to play for and that is what has potentially sparked something of an up turn in their form. The visitors have had bottom spot confirmed for some time but they are avoiding the historically low points total they could have been on the receiving end of. Despite that, with their home advantage, Athletic should still grind out a victory this weekend.
TIP: ATHLETIC BILBAO TO WIN
