La Liga | Gameweek 12

Nov 3, 2024 at 8pm UK

San Mames Barria

Athletic Bilbao vs Betis

Match preview

Athletic have won five, drawn three and lost three of their 11 La Liga games this term, picking up a total of 18 points to sit fifth in the table, just three points behind third-placed Villarreal.

Ernesto Valverde's side go into the game on a three-match unbeaten run, including a 0-0 draw with Mallorca last time out, and have lost just once in all competitions since the end of August.

The Lions are competing in the Europa League this season and have made an encouraging start to their campaign, taking seven points from their three games to sit eighth in the standings.

Athletic's only home defeat of the season came against Atletico Madrid at the end of August, and they have won each of their last three home games, including a 4-1 win over Espanyol in the league on 19 October.

The Basque outfit beat Real Betis 4-2 in the last meeting between the two sides, but the Seville side ran out 3-1 winners when the two sides last met in February this year.

Real Betis are also in Europe this season, competing in the Conference, and have taken a point from their opening two games to sit 27th in the standings.

They are currently involved in three different competitions, including the Copa del Rey, where they progressed to the second round on Thursday night with a 6-1 win over Gevora.

Manuel Pellegrini's side, meanwhile, beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in La Liga last weekend, with a Jose Gimenez own goal in the fourth minute proving the difference between the two sides.

Real Betis have the same record as Athletic this term, winning five, drawing three and losing three of their 11 games, and have only scored 11 times to Athletic's 17, but they have been stronger defensively, conceding just nine goals to the Basque side's 11.

There has not been much to choose between these teams this season, but the fact that Athletic have had more time to prepare for this game could give them an advantage in Sunday's intriguing clash at San Mames.

Recent Performance

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:WWDLWD

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):DWLWWD

Real Betis La Liga form:LDWLWW

Real Betis form (all competitions):LLWDWW

Team News

Athletic will once again be without first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon, but otherwise the Basque side are in excellent shape, with no injuries reported ahead of the game.

Valverde is likely to name the same team that beat Mallorca last time out, with Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta all likely to start in attack.

However, there could be a change at the heart of the defence, with Dani Vivian in line for a recall.

For Real Betis, Aitor Ruibal, Hector Bellerin, Giovani Lo Celso, Marc Roca, William Carvalho and Isco are all unavailable due to fitness problems.

Given the nature of the performance and the result, Pellegrini is expected to name the same side that kicked off against Atletico in the league last time out.

Cedric Bakambu was among the scorers in Thursday's Copa del Rey, but he is likely to return to the bench for this fixture, with Vitor Roque likely to be joined in the final third by Ezequiel Avila.

Possible starting lineups

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Agirrezabala; Gorosabel, Yeray, Vivian, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Ruibal, Bartra, Llorente, Perraud; Fornals, Cardoso, Altimira, Ezzalzouli; Avila, Roque