Girona vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Girona find themselves in a surprisingly comfortable position as the Catalans now welcome Athletic Club to Montilivi early on Saturday afternoon.
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+
Girona preview: Comfortable Catalans
Girona come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with ten-man but in-form Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia last weekend, with the impressive Joel Roca pinching a point for Girona deep into second-half stoppage-time.
That draw means that the Catalans have now succumbed to just two losses in ten matches in the calendar year of 2026. That leaves them comfortably clear of the relegation battle and pushing towards the middle-of-the-table.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Push for Europe
Athletic Club have endured an underwhelming campaign this time around but the Basque giants do head into the final 11 games of the season still in the hunt for a top seven finish and potential UEFA competition qualification.
Ernesto Valverde’s side did have a good run of form in La Liga ended at San Mames last weekend by defending champions and league leaders Barcelona, with Lamine Yamal scoring an excellent strike in the 68th minute.
Girona team news: Reis suspended
Manchester City loanee centre-back Vitor Teis is missing through suspension for Girona, while first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is injured alongside the likes of Donny van de Beek and Bryan Gil.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Hugo Rincon, David Lopez, Blind. Arnau Martinez; Tsygankov, Beltran, Witsel, Lemar, Echeverri; Vanat
Unavailable: Juan Carlos (Injured), Ter Stegen (Injured), Reis (Suspended), Van de Beek (Injured), Bryan Gil (Injured), Portu (Injured)
Questionable: Alex Moreno (Injured), Cristhian Stuani (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: A few issues
Versatile midfielder Alejandro Rego is missing through suspension for this one, while key attacking duo Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi remain sidelined due to injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yeray (Disciplinary), Benat Prados (Injured), Alejandro Rego (Suspended), Nico Williams (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable: Aitor Paredes (Injured), Unai Gomez (Injured)
Girona vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
The fact that Girona are so comfortable in La Liga is a major surprise, given how poorly they started the campaign. The home team have steadily progressed, though, with Michel toning down his critique of his squad and the club’s hierarchy. Ernesto Valverde is perhaps in the final couple of months of his second Athletic reign and he does have the chance to finish with a bit of a flourish and both teams scoring would seem a good bet for this one in eastern Spain.
Girona vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
