Athletic Bilbaovs.Sevilla

Like their opponents, the Basque side will also be looking for a positive response after falling to a narrow loss in their midweek out against Celta Vigo.

Match preview

Athletic's lingering Champions League hopes were quashed on Wednesday night, as they gave up a slender lead to lose 2-1 in their away meeting with relegation-threatened Celta.

Ernesto Valverde's side have now won just one of their six matches since they beat Mallorca on penalties to end their 40-year wait for the Copa del Rey Trophy.

Although they have experienced a cup hangover, Athletic can be pleased with the fact they have already secured Europa League qualification, ensuring they will be participating in the UEFA competition for the first time since 2017-18.

Having established a five-point advantage over sixth-placed Real Betis, Los Leones are also on the verge of securing a fifth-place finish for the first time in eight years.

Athletic's success this season has been built on an impressive home record, with their 18 home league matches producing 11 wins, six draws and just one defeat.

They have ultimately proven to be a tough team to beat at San Mames, but they have had to settle for draws in each of their previous three home matches, and they will change that on Sunday as they bid to complete a league double over Sevilla.

After being appointed in December, Quique Sanchez Flores has picked up 28 points from his 20 league matches to take Sevilla's overall tally to 41 points and alleviate any fears of an unthinkable relegation.

However, the Sevilla boss will be disappointed with the fact his side have conceded stoppage-time goals to lose consecutive matches against Villarreal and Cadiz.

With two games left to play, Sevilla are currently on course to finish in 12th place for the second straight season, knowing they still have the mathematical chance to creep into the top half before the curtain comes down on the 2023-24 campaign.

However, if they drop any lower, it would represent their worst finishing position since they were relegated in the 1999-2000 season.

Sevilla will certainly be keen to produce strong performances in their final two games as they look to give Jesus Navas a suitable farewell after it was announced the club legend will leave Los Nervionenses at the end of the season.

The Andalusian side will not be intimidated by Athletic's impressive home record, having picked up 1-0 victories in both of their last two trips to San Mames.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

D

D

L

W

D

L

Sevilla La Liga form:

W

W

D

W

L

L

Team News

Athletic forward Gorka Guruzeta remains on the sidelines after undergoing appendix surgery earlier this month.

Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Iker Muniain were forced to sit out the defeat to Celta, but the trio have resumed training and are available for selection.

Williams and Muniain are both expected to start, with the latter set to play his final home game before he bids farewell to Athletic at the end of the season.

Left-back Yuri Berchiche will also return to the squad after serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

As for Sevilla, they are still unable to call upon the services of Oliver Torres, Nemanja Gudelj, Djibril Sow, Erik Lamela and Isaac Romero.

Joan Jordan is likely to replace Boubakary Soumare, who will serve a one-match ban after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season.

After dropping down to the bench in midweek, Suso could be recalled to make his 16th La Liga start of the campaign.

Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri will look to add to his 15-goal league tally when he leads the line at San Mames.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Vesga, Herrera; I Williams, Muniain, N Williams; Berenguer

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Navas, Bade, Ramos, Salas, Acuna; Suso, Agoume, Jordan, Ocampos; En-Nesyri

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Sevilla

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