Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for analysis, free betting tips and predicted line-ups as the visitors aim to maintain a fighting chance of staying up by causing an upset at San Mames.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Preview
The Saturday action in LaLiga kicks off at San Mames where Athletic Club are hoping to push further into Europa League contention. The opposition is Mallorca who are now in desperate need of a rare away win with their survival hopes fading fast despite some admirable showings against the top sides.
Athletic will be in no mood to show them any mercy though. Having agreed to the delay of the Copa del Rey Final, that is no longer a route into Europe but they will have their eyes on trying to break into the top seven in LaLiga which would be good enough for Europa League football. Gaizka Garitano’s side lost for the first time since the restart in midweek, but they gave a pretty good account of themselves in a 1-0 defeat at Camp Nou.
Mallorca did likewise in their 2-0 defeat at Real Madrid on Wednesday night, a game which saw them hand a debut to 15 year old wonder-kid Luka Romero. Given he is still too young to sign a professional contract, there is a real danger that a bigger club may come and pinch the Mexican-born midfielder away from Mallorca but Vicente Moreno’s immediate priority is trying to find a bit of inspiration from somewhere and he clearly believes Romero has a role to play, even if that may stir up greater interest.
It’ll be interesting to see if he features again here. Mallorca are expected to go 4-4-2 and could really do with some better finishing in the final third with just 1 goal in 4 games since the restart despite creating some decent chances. Athletic should be at full strength unless Garitano decides to rotate with Yuri available again following suspension.
We have match previews for all games in LaLiga this weekend and betting tips for all Segunda matches.
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-0 Athletic
Mallorca are very easy on the eye but unfortunately they don’t look like converting the chances they create at the moment and there are still a few positions where in truth they are lacking top flight quality. It’s hard to see them avoiding relegation now and having lost 80% of their away games this term, it’s hard to see them getting a result here.
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Betting Tips (18+)
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Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Athletic Wins, 1 Draw.
- The sides drew 0-0 at Son Moix earlier this term.
- Athletic had won the 5 meetings prior to that.
- They’ve won all of their last 4 home games vs Mallorca, although the most recent meeting in Bilbao was back in 2013.
Predicted Line Ups
Athletic Team:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Yeray, Capa – Benat, Dani Garcia – Cordoba, Muniain, Raul Garcia – Williams (4-2-3-1)
Mallorca Team:
Reina – Lumor, Raillo, Valjent, Pozo – Kubo, Baba, Sevilla, Rodriguez – Budimir, Hernandez (4-4-2)
Read more: LaLiga Matchday 31 Review
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