Espanyolvs.Athletic Bilbao

The visitors are currently fourth in the La Liga table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal in the race for Champions League football, while Espanyol are battling to remain in the division, with the team currently occupying 16th spot.

Match preview

Espanyol had put together a four-game unbeaten run in La Liga ahead of their trip to Real Sociedad last weekend, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Basque outfit, with the game's winning goal coming in the 84th minute.

It was yet another encouraging performance from Manolo Gonzalez's side, though, and their recent upturn has allowed them to move out of the bottom three, currently sitting in 16th position in the table.

Espanyol are only one point clear of the relegation zone, and it is incredibly tight towards the bottom, with only two points separating 19th-placed Alaves from Las Palmas in 15th position.

The White and Blues are on a three-game losing run against Athletic, including a 4-1 defeat in the corresponding match earlier this season.

Espanyol have not actually beaten Athletic at home in Spain's top flight since November 2018, and they will be welcoming a team that have not tasted defeat in La Liga since the start of October.

Athletic were disappointingly knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Osasuna last month, but the Lions are still fighting on two fronts this season, having secured a position in the knockout round of the Europa League.

Ernesto Valverde's side are enjoying an impressive league season, meanwhile, boasting a record of 12 wins, eight draws and three defeats from their 23 matches to collect 44 points, which has left them in fourth position.

Athletic are four points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal and only actually six points off division leaders Real Madrid, so they are certainly potential contenders for the title this season, at least based on the league table.

The Red and Whites have not finished in the top four since the 2013-14 campaign, while they have been 11th, 10th and eighth twice in four of their last five seasons, so there has been huge recent improvement.

Athletic will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 home success over Girona, with Oihan Sancet netting a hat trick for the Basque side, who have picked up 19 points from their 11 matches on their travels this term.

Espanyol La Liga form:

L

D

W

D

W

L

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

D

W

W

D

D

W

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Team News

Espanyol will again be without the services of Jose Gragera due to a thigh problem, while Brian Olivan, Fernando Pacheco and Pol Lozano could also miss out due to muscular issues.

Carlos Romero will be back in the squad following a suspension, though, and the Spaniard is set to return to the side at left-back.

Javi Puado has been in impressive goalscoring form for the Catalan team this season, finding the back of the net on eight occasions, and the 26-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field.

As for Athletic, Alvaro Djalo will be missing due to an ankle complaint, while Nico Williams and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are both doubts, with the pair needing to pass late fitness tests.

Sancet netted three times in the victory over Girona, and he will again feature in the number 10 spot, while Alex Berenguer is expected to continue down the left due to the uncertainty surrounding Nico Williams' fitness.

Mikel Jauregizar has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances this season - Real Madrid are said to be among his admirers - and there will once again be a spot in midfield for the 21-year-old.

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Puado, Aguado, Kral, Roca; Fernandez, Exposito

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Jauregizar, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta

We say: Espanyol 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Espanyol have improved of late, and this could be a tricky affair for Athletic - it would not be a surprise to see the points shared on Sunday, but we just have a feeling that the visitors will be able to navigate their way to a hugely important three points.

Written by

Matt Law

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