Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have the two teams that qualified for the UEFA Champions League last season, alongside the so-called ‘big three’, as Villarreal take on Athletic Club 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 Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Villarreal preview: Yellow Submarine on the push
Villarreal head into this one on the back of an impressive start to the campaign in La Liga as they sit tucked inside the top three after six matches of the season ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
The Yellow Submarine come into this one on the back of back-to-back 2-1 victories. They returned to form with a come from behind 2-1 victory over Osasuna last weekend before then beating Sevilla by the same scoreline in Andalusia in midweek.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Frustrating Athletic
In the opening month of the campaign, Athletic Club started the season very well with three successive victories but their performance level was underwhelming and they are now on a four-match winless run of form across all competitions.
After defeats against Deportivo Alaves, Arsenal and then Valencia after the September international break, Athletic had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against winless Girona at San Mames in the Basque Country the other day.
Villarreal team news: Plenty of injuries
Villarreal are dealing with plenty of injury issues ahead of the visit of Athletic to Castellon this week, as Santi Comesana is a doubt for this one, whilst Pau Navarro is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Arnau Tenas; Santiago Mourino, Rafa Marin, Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Partey, Dani Parejo, Gueye; Buchanan, Oluwaseyi, Alberto Moleiro
Unavailable: Costa (Injured), Kambwala (Injured), Pau Navarro (Injured), Foyth (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured), Ayoze (Injured)
Questionable: Santi Comesana (Injured), Gerard (Injured), Akhomach (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: A few issues
Athletic head to El Madrigal with a few issues for this weekend, with Nico Williams still sidelined for this one alongside the suspended Alex Padilla and Dani Vivian.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Laporte, Boiro; Mikel Vesga, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Serrano; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Alex Padilla (Suspended), Yeray (Disciplinary), Dani Vivian (Suspended), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Villarreal’s performance level has remained strong throughout the season and Marcelino will believe that the reason for them dropping results in three successive matches can now be rectified by Arnau Tenas coming into the team in goal. Athletic head to El Madrigal under a bit of pressure to turn things around quickly after a bright start, but this is a tough test away from home.
Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Villarreal to win & both teams to score
