Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis come into this one sitting firmly in the middle-of-the-table in La Liga ahead of taking on an impressive Athletic Club side at the Benito Villamarin this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 2nd February, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Betis Team News: A few injuries
Real Betis are dealing with quite a few issues for the visit of Athletic down to Andalusia. Former Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra is expected to be sidelined alongside former Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin and key midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Angel Ortiz, Diego Llorente, Natan, Sergio Arribas; Johnny Cardoso, Marc Roca; Vitor Roque, Isco, Abde Ez; Juanmi
Unavailable: Sabaly (Injured), Rodriguez (Injured), Carvalho (Injured)
Questionable: Marc Bartra (Injured), Aitor Ruibal (Injured), Hector Bellerin (Injured), Lo Celso (Injured), Chimy Avila (Injured), Jesus Rodriguez (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Good depth
Athletic have put together an impressive squad in recent seasons and have built good depth to compete in both La Liga and the UEFA Europa League. Defensive midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta remains unavailable for this weekend due to a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Mikel Jauregizar, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured)
Questionable: Nico Serrano (Illness)
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Real Betis come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 victory against Real Mallorca last weekend in the Balearic Islands thanks to a 96th minute winner scored by former Villarreal forward Cedric Bakambu around 20 or so minutes after Omar Mascarell had been sent off for the Majorcans. Betis have underwhelmed in recent months despite that victory and pressure is growing on Manuel Pellegrini. Athletic Club defeated Viktoria Plzen by three goals to one in the UEFA Europa League at San Mames in midweek to get back on the winning track after a defeat to Besiktas and draw with Leganes recently. Athletic will travel to the Benito Villamarin as favourites and siding with the Basque giants is the way to go for this one.
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Double chance – Athletic to win or draw
