Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Sevilla need to play with a bit of intensity here because they are in real trouble ahead of the visit of an out of form Athletic Club side to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
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+
Sevilla preview: Struggling Sevilla
The pressure is growing on Sevilla boss Matias Almeyda, who has had some standout performances this season, as they come into this one on the back of a four-match winless run, hovering just above the bottom three and the relegation places.
The Andalusians come into this one on the back of ending their three-match losing streak by managing to come from 2-0 down late on against Elche to share a 2-2 draw, courtesy of a late brace scored by Nigeria international striker Akor Adams.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Out of form Basque
Ernesto Valverde has done an impressive job in charge of Athletic Club but they have struggled with the balance between La Liga and domestic commitments as they hover into the middle-of-the-table with one point collected from their last four matches.
The Basque outfit most recently produced a dramatic and much-needed, entertaining 3-2 defeat of Atalanta in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, courtesy of strikes from Gorka Guruzeta, Nico Serrano and Robert Navarro.
Sevilla team news: Mendy suspended
Batista Mendy is missing through suspension for Sevilla this weekend, while the experienced duo of Cesar Azpilicueta and Alexis Sanchez are doubtful, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Vlachodimos; Jose Angel Carmona, Gudelj, Kike Salas; Juanlu, Agoume, Joan Jordan, Oso; Sow, Isaac Romero, Gatito
Unavailable: Marcao (Disciplinary), Mendy (Suspended), Januzaj (Injured), Alfon (Injured), Vargas (Injured)
Questionable: Cesar Azpilicueta (Injured), Sanchez (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Loads of issues
Athletic have loads of issues for this one with Inigo Lekue and Gorka Guruzeta missing through suspension among so many injury concerns that a second-string side is to be expected here.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Dani Vivian, Boiro; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Nico Serrano; Unai Gomez
Unavailable: Yeray (Disciplinary), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Laporte (Injured), Inigo Lekue (Suspended), Yuri Berchiche (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured), Alex Berenguer (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured), Inaki Williams (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Suspended)
Questionable: Mikel Vesga (Injured)
Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Athletic, despite their Cantera transfer policy, do have a surprisingly, and extremely impressively, deep squad. The visitors will head to Seville still able to go into it with a strong side but they are some way off what they should be domestically. Sevilla can turn it on with a bit of style when they are at their best and so it wouldn’t be a shock to see quite a loose and fun watch this weekend down in the south of Spain.
Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
