Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Sevilla travel to San Mames.
- DATE: Saturday 31st October 2020
- KICK-OFF: 16:15 (local time)
- VENUE: San Mames
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Preview
Sevilla travel to San Mames on Saturday afternoon looking to put successive league defeats firmly behind them. They take on an Athletic side that has made a slow start to the season with Gaizka Garitano starting to feel a bit of pressure for the first time in his reign.
Athletic’s best performance of the season did come in their last home game. They beat Levante 2-0 and controlled the match from start to finish. However they couldn’t back that up at El Sadar last weekend, although they were somewhat unfortunate to slip to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Osasuna.
The Basque giants probably could have done with some more fresh blood in the summer with this squad having barely changed since the start of Garitano’s time at the helm. There are some promising young players but it’s questionable whether any are ready to truly break into the first eleven and right now mid-table looks as though it may again be their ceiling this term.
Sevilla are strongly expected to make the top four again but suggestions they may challenge the established ‘big three’ have been cooled by back-to-back league defeats against Granada and Eibar. As was the case last season, the lack of a genuine top quality striker does seem to be their achilles heel but they did end a three game goal drought with an important 1-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League in midweek.
The Andalusians bossed that game but this busy stint in the season is going to be a real test of their squad depth and Julen Lopetegui may feel as though he has no choice but to rotate some of his players here.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Sevilla Wins, 2 Athletic Wins, 1 Draw.
- Sevilla have won on 2 of their last 3 visits to San Mames.
- They’ve taken 7 points from their last 3 league games vs Athletic.
- They won 2-1 here post lockdown last season.
Team News
Athletic have no fresh problems and should select Yuri at left-back following the end of his COVID isolation.
Sevilla are likely to rotate from midweek with the likes of Suso, Gudelj and En-Nesyri potentially coming into the XI.
Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:
Simon – Yuri, Yeray, Martinez, Capa – Lopez, Garcia – Berenguer, Garcia, Muniain – Williams (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Sevilla Starting Lineup:
Bono – Acuna, Carlos, Kounde, Navas – Rakitic, Jordan, Gudelj – Suso, En-Nesyri, Ocampos (4-3-3)
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Predictions
Score Prediction: Athletic 0-0 Sevilla
Sevilla are the stronger team on paper but their inability to find the back of the net is becoming a cause for concern again. They’ve scored just 3 goals in 6 matches in all competitions since beating Cadiz in their opening league game and up against the league’s joint lowest scorers, we may see this one descend into a bore draw.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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Read all our weekend LaLiga match previews.
