Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for analysis, free betting tips and predicted line-up as the Andalusians head to San Mames.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Preview
The late game on Thursday night comes from San Mames as two European hopefuls meet. Athletic Club are targeting Europa League qualification but they really need to pick up all three points with Gaizka Garitano’s side currently down in 9th place and with games fast running out. Sevilla meanwhile are 4th and look on course to secure a return to the Champions League.
Overall, Athletic can be pretty content with their efforts since the resumption. They’ll have faced all of the top four since the restart after this game and a return of 11 points from 7 games is a good one considering that. They head into this one after a 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend but they again showed themselves to be a tough side to play against with Sergio Ramos’ late penalty the only thing separating the sides.
Sevilla meanwhile were last in action on Monday night with Lucas Ocampos dramatically starring at both ends of the pitch in a 1-0 win over Eibar. The Argentine winger scored the goal and was then forced to play in goal after Tomas Vaclik was stretchered off in Stoppage Time. With 13 league goals, Ocampos has more than double the next highest scoring Sevilla player this term – Luuk de Jong with 6.
Vaclik remains a doubt for the visitors here meaning back-up keeper Bono should start in goal. Jules Kounde and Joan Jordan are also likely to come into the side for Sevilla. Athletic meanwhile are missing top scorer Raúl García to suspension and that is a significant blow as he, like Ocampos, has netted more than twice as many league goals as any of his teammates have managed.
We have LaLiga match previews for every game this week plus some Segunda Division previews.
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-0 Sevilla
The absence of Raúl García is really significant for Athletic. Without his goals, this season could have taken a very different shape and it’s tough to see where Athletic’s threat is going to come from against a Sevilla side that is strong defensively and boasts an excellent away record with 9 wins and only 4 defeats on their travels in LaLiga this term. Only Real Madrid have collected more points away and Sevilla look capable of moving to the brink of Champions League qualification by winning this game despite what is a very poor recent league record on this ground.
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Betting Tips (18+)
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Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Sevilla Wins, 2 Athletic Wins, 1 Draw.
- The sides drew 1-1 earlier this term at the RSP.
- Athletic have won 9 of the last 11 meetings at San Mames.
- The two exceptions both came in cup competitions.
Predicted Line Ups
Athletic Team:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Nunez, Capa – Dani Garcia, Lopez – De Marcos, Muniain, Williams – Villalibre (4-2-3-1)
Sevilla Team:
Bono – Escudero, Carlos, Kounde, Navas – Banega, Fernando, Jordan – Suso, En-Nesyri, Ocampos (4-3-3)
Read more: LaLiga Weekly Review – Matchday’s 33 & 34
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