Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 December 2023, 22:06
In-form Athletic Bilbao will look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 competitive matches when they play host to Las Palmas on Wednesday.

The visitors have also proven to be a tough team to beat in recent weeks, having avoided defeat in each of their last four games across all competitions.

Match preview

Athletic Bilbao carry significant momentum into their final game of 2023 after winning six and drawing three of their last nine matches across all competitions.

Los Leones claimed a statement 2-0 win in Saturday's home fixture against Atletico Madrid, with Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams finding the net to move their side up to fifth position and within three points of the top four.

After claiming a third consecutive home victory, Athletic have now avoided defeat in each of their last eight league matches at San Mames since losing 2-0 to Real Madrid on the opening weekend of the 2023-24 campaign.

Impressively, Ernesto Valverde's side have scored at least two goals across those eight matches in front of their supporters, giving them a total of 24 home league goals - no La Liga side has registered more home goals this season.

They will look to continue that impressive form when they face Las Palmas for the first time since playing out a goalless draw in February 2018, which was a result that extended their unbeaten home record in head-to-head meetings to four matches (W2, D2).

Competing in their first top-flight campaign since 2017-18, Las Palmas have exceeded all expectations this season to pick up 25 points from their 17 league matches, putting them in the top half rather than a relegation fight that many may have tipped them for at the start of the season.

With two points separating them from the top seven, the team from Gran Canaria may be starting to dream about the outlandish prospect of qualifying for Europe for the first time since appearing in the 1977-78 UEFA Cup.

Rather than focusing on a potential European finish, Garcia Pimienta's current priority will be on extending the club's current unbeaten run, which stands at four competitive matches following Sunday's 1-1 home draw with Cadiz.

While they may have picked up another useful point, they would have been frustrated to miss out on all three after Cadiz's Chris Ramos netted an 83rd minute equaliser to cancel out Pejino's first-ever goal in the top flight.

Ramos's late strike represented just the 14th goal Las Palmas have conceded this season, ensuring they head to San Mames with the second-best defensive record in the division as they bid to claim an away victory over Athletic for the first time since October 2000.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

W

W

D

W

D

W

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

D

W

Las Palmas La Liga form:

W

D

L

W

W

D

Las Palmas form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

D

Advert - content below:

Team News

Athletic defender Oscar de Marcos is unlikely to feature after missing Saturday's win over Atletico Madrid with an ankle injury.

The hosts are also without Yeray Alvarez, Dani Garcia and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, but they should be able to welcome back Iker Muniain, who is set to feature among the substitutes after recovering from illness.

After coming into the lineup at the weekend, Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera could start consecutive matches if Valverde opts to name an unchanged side for the final match of 2023.

As for Las Palmas, they are unable to call upon midfielder Alberto Moleiro, who was forced off at half time against Cadiz due to a shoulder problem.

Fabio Gonzalez remains sidelined with an ankle problem, while Kirian Rodriguez is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the La Liga season.

Julian Araujo is a doubt due to a knock he sustained at the weekend, but Sergi Cardona could come back into the side following a one-game ban.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Prados, Herrera; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta

Las Palmas possible starting lineup:

Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S. Cardona; Munoz, Perrone, Loiodice; Park, Pejino, Munir

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Las Palmas

Although Las Palmas are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten run, they will go up against an Athletic side that tends to perform well on home turf.

Previews by email
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Leicester star goes over advertising boards to taunt Birmingham fans after goal
Stephy Mavididi was not shy to celebrate right in Birmingham fans' faces after scoring an excellent counter-attacking goal for Leicester.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal
Arsenal's on-loan Brentford shot-stopper David Raya has claimed that he and Aaron Ramsdale have made one another better goalkeepers since the former ousted his English counterpart.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Barcelona Women
Barcelona Women's head coach Jonatan Giraldez has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the season.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Kayserispor vs. Fenerbahce - prediction, team news, lineups
The Turkish Super Lig resumes on Tuesday, with Kayserispor hosting Fenerbahce in a gameweek 17 clash at the Kadir Has Stadium.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea 'rule out loan exit for Noni Madueke in January transfer window'
Chelsea have reportedly decided against allowing winger Noni Madueke to leave the club on loan in January.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Team News: Chelsea vs. Newcastle United injury, suspension list, predicted XIs
A few weeks on from thrashing Chelsea 4-1 in the Premier League, Newcastle United seek to make lightning strike twice in Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final tie against the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Christian Eriksen returns to Manchester United training following injury absence
Christian Eriksen has returned to Manchester United training after being sidelined for the last month through injury.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United
Manchester United received a major boost as Christian Eriksen returned to training today after being sidelined for the last month through injury.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Fluminense book place in Club World Cup final
Fluminense have booked their place in the final of the 2023 Club World Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly in Jeddah this evening.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool 'unlikely to move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha in January'
Liverpool are reportedly unlikely to make a move for Fulham's highly sought-after midfielder Joao Palhinha in the upcoming January transfer window.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United chief 'discusses futures of four players with Saudi clubs'
Manchester United's football director John Murtough was reportedly in Saudi Arabia engaging in transfer discussions earlier this month, as the club aims to sell four players in January.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United planning clearout in 2024 to make room for David Alaba?
Manchester United are reportedly planning to part ways with several of their current players next summer as they look to make room for the acquisition of Real Madrid defender David Alaba.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
How Barcelona could line up against Almeria
Barcelona boss Xavi will be forced into at least one change for Wednesday's La Liga clash with basement side Almeria.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Newcastle loanee Lewis Hall cleared to face Chelsea in EFL Cup quarter-final
Newcastle United loanee Lewis Hall is eligible to face his parent club Chelsea in Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Eddie Howe refuses to rule out Sven Botman start against Chelsea in EFL Cup
Eddie Howe has refused to rule out the prospect of Sven Botman starting for Newcastle United in Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Team News: Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Manchester City injury, suspension list, predicted XIs
Manchester City's first-ever Club World Cup fixture takes place at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday, as the Citizens tackle Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in their semi-final.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester City fined £120,000 over Simon Hooper incident in Tottenham draw
Manchester City have been fined £120,000 by the Football Association after several players surrounded referee Simon Hooper during the Citizens' 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Jordan vs Souness: talkSPORT pundits clash over Liverpool after Man United draw
Simon Jordan and Graeme Souness couldn't see eye to eye when they discussed Liverpool and Manchester United's underwhelming draw.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Barcelona vs. Almeria - prediction, team news, lineups
After failing to win any of their last three competitive matches, Barcelona will be desperate to end 2023 with a victory when they play host to struggling Almeria on Wednesday.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Heidenheim vs. Freiburg - prediction, team news, lineups
Heidenheim and Freiburg will both be aiming to maintain winning streaks when they meet each other in the Bundesliga on Wednesday evening.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Borussia Monchengladbach - prediction, team news, lineups
Eintracht Frankfurt will be aiming to bounce back from defeat when they host Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday evening.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
FIFA Club World Cup: Past winners
Past winners 2022: Real Madrid (5) 2021: Chelsea 2020: Bayern Munich (2) 2019: Liverpool 2018: Real Madrid (4) 2017: Real Madrid (3) 2016: Real Madrid (2) 2015: Barcelona (3) 2014: Real Madrid 2013: Bayern Munich 2012: Corinthians (2) 2011: Barcelona (2) 2010: Inter Milan 2009: Barcelona 2008: Manchester United 2007: AC Milan 2006: Internacional 2005: Sao Paulo 2000: Corinthians
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola: 'Club World Cup glory would close the circle'
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes winning the FIFA Club World Cup would 'close the circle' on the club's historic success in recent years.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Inter Milan vs. Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups
Coppa Italia holders and Serie A leaders Inter Milan kick off their cup campaign on Wednesday evening, when they welcome in-form Bologna to San Siro.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Burnley planning January swoop for Southampton's Che Adams?
Burnley are reportedly interested in signing Southampton striker Che Adams in the January transfer window, with the Clarets looking to boost their chances of survival.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Kevin De Bruyne returns to Manchester City training ahead of Club World Cup tie
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has returned to first-team training ahead of Tuesday's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final clash against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saudi Arabia.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
When is Carabao Cup semi-final draw? Liverpool and Newcastle vie for spot in hat
The Carabao Cup quarter-finals take place this week with teams competing for a place in the last four.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Jose Mourinho's brutal one-word verdict on Arsenal's title chances this season
Jose Mourinho brutally shut down talk of Arsenal winning the Premier League this season with just one word.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Virgil van Dijk hits back at Roy Keane 'arrogance' claims after Man Utd draw
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hit back at claims from Roy Keane that he was being "arrogant" after Manchester United held the Reds to a goalless draw on Sunday.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Kovacic can achieve something even Ronaldo couldn't in Club World Cup
Mateo Kovacic could become the first player to win the Club World Cup with three different teams.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have confirmed the conclusion of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of former women's player Maddy Cusack, stating that "no evidence of wrongdoing" had been found in the club's practices.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Everton to rival Sheffield United for Marseille's Iliman Ndiaye?
Everton are reportedly prepared to challenge Sheffield United for the loan signing of Iliman Ndiaye during the upcoming January transfer window.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Jackson's X-rated response to critics and takes inspiration by ex-Chelsea pair
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has declared his critics are 'talking s***' and 'don't know football' in an X-rated response.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Omens have Arsenal fans convinced Havertz is key to Champions League glory
Arsenal fans are convinced that former Chelsea star Kai Havertz might lead them to Champions League glory.
18 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Eintracht Frankfurt handed Union SG test in Europa Conference League last 32
Eintracht Frankfurt have been handed a showdown with Union SG in the last 32 of the Europa Conference League.
18 December 2023
talksport.com
Can Lewis Hall play against Chelsea? Loophole to favour Newcastle in Carabao Cup
Lewis Hall has been handed a boost ahead of Newcastle's clash with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals this week.
Show more

Top News

11 January 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish has finally ended his 13-month long wait for a first Manchester City goal in the club's 8-0 mauling over Salford City. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk James McAtee scored a hat-trick and Jeremy Doku produced a man-of-the-match display as Manchester City obliterated Salford City 8-0 in the third round of the FA Cup. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Villarreal will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they head to Real Sociedad on Monday evening, and this contest will represent the Yellow Submarine's first match of 2025. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid and Barcelona will lock horns in the final of the 2025 Spanish Super Cup on Sunday night. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Antony has reportedly filed an arbitration case against former club Ajax over fines imposed during his move to Manchester United. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all competing for the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eintracht Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche has confirmed that one club has "made contact" over a move to sign Omar Marmoush, amid reported interest from Manchester City. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly slapped a £40m price tag on the head of attacker Harvey Elliott, who is on the radar of Borussia Dortmund and Brighton & Hove Albion. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's transfer warchest is reportedly about to receive a healthy boost, as former striker Mika Biereth is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 giants Monaco. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Plymouth picked up their first away win since April 2024 to knock out Brentford in an FA Cup giant killing. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace have agreed a deal with Millwall for teenage winger Romain Esse, talkSPORT understands. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a 5-0 success over League Two outfit Morecambe at Stamford Bridge. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Divin Mubama will make his senior Manchester City debut in tonight's FA Cup third-round clash with Salford at the Etihad Stadium. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expects 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha to "sleep well" after his historic FA Cup appearance in Saturday's 4-0 third-round win over Accrington Stanley. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Accrington Stanley's Donald Love might have a hard time getting to sleep tonight. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Diego Leon is reportedly now en route to England, as the Cerro Porteno wonderkid prepares to sign the paperwork which will make him a Manchester United player at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Jude Bellingham is fit for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona after suffering with muscular overload in the semi-final of the competition. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After seeing their three-match unbeaten streak snapped by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Galatasaray, Goztepe SK will look to immediately rebound when they host Kasimpasa at the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Sunday. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Swindon's clash with Crewe has been suspended as a result of poor visibility. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams aiming to avoid further setbacks in their respective campaigns will clash on Sunday as Konyaspor host Fenerbahce at the Torku Arena. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, with the Red Devils now pushing to sign the France international during the January transfer window. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The defending champions meet the record winners in Sunday's FA Cup main event, as Arsenal host Manchester United in the pick of the third-round ties. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli boss Antonio Conte has revealed that winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club in the current transfer window. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to force through a move away from Napoli this month. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart has confirmed that under-fire manager Philippe Clement has the board's backing for now, but insists that results must improve with no "cast iron guarantees" offered to the Belgian. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Tottenham Hotspur have posted a job opening for a new head of its medical department as the club grapples with an ongoing injury crisis. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Monaco have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before next month's transfer deadline. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a wonder goal as Liverpool secured safe passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over a spirited Accrington Stanley side at Anfield. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Celta Vigo over a move for defender Oscar Mingueza, talkSPORT understands. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly made quick progress over a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.