Athletic Club vs Sevilla predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two in-form sides clash.
| Date | Thursday 27th April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | San Mames |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Athletic Club vs Sevilla Preview
The midweek action in LaLiga concludes with a showdown between Athletic Club and Sevilla at San Mames. Both sides are in good form so this promises to be a good one and it’s an opportunity for the hosts to really thrust themselves into Europa League qualification contention.
For a long while, it looked like 7th would be the best Athletic could hope for this season, but with the likes of Real Betis and Villarreal dropping points in recent weeks, a window has opened. Indeed Athletic could potentially climb to 5th on Thursday should the Yellow Submarine drop points again on Thursday and the chances of Ernesto Valverde’s side playing in Europe next term are seemingly growing with each passing week.
It’s three straight wins for Athletic in LaLiga, the perfect response to a disappointing late defeat in the Copa del Rey Semi-Final against Osasuna. Two of those wins came away against lowly Almeria and Espanyol, either side of a Basque derby victory over Real Sociedad. A number of players have come into form once more after a relatively difficult winter with Inaki Williams enjoying a hot streak in front of goal while brother Nico was also on target at the weekend.
Sevilla are also on a roll though. Since appointing José Luis Mendilibar, they’ve taken 10 points from 4 league games to all but guarantee their safety, whilst also stunning Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final. They come into this game on the back of a late 2-1 win over Villarreal in LaLiga with Youssef En-Nesyri heading home a late winner and victory here would see them pass 40 points and potentially move into the top half depending on other results this week.
While it has still certainly been a season of underachievement overall in LaLiga, Sevilla have a chance now to make it a whole lot more respectable. Indeed victory here would mean they’d only trail 7th placed Athletic by 5 points and would offer a glimmer of hope in terms of making a late European push, something that would have been absolutely unthinkable only a few weeks ago.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Athletic Club
| INJURED | Muniain, Morcillo |
| DOUBTFUL | Lekue |
| BANNED | Vesga, Zarraga |
Possible XI: Simon – Yuri, Inigo Martinez, Yeray, De Marcos – Dani Garcia, Herrera – N. Williams, Sancet, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Sevilla
| INJURED | Marcao, Jordan |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Bono – Acuna, Gudelj, Bade, Navas – Fernando, Gueye – Lamela, Rakitic, Ocampos – En Nesyri (4-2-3-1)
Coach: José Luis Mendilibar
Score Prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Sevilla
Sevilla’s resurgence has been remarkable but there are still some significant flaws in this team that could well be exposed in a tough away game like this. Athletic are looking sharp again and with home advantage, they look the more likely winners here with a bit of fatigue potentially creeping in for the visitors after a busy few weeks.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga score predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
