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

Thanks to a six-game unbeaten run of their own, the hosts lead Sevilla by eight points in the La Liga table, while Athletic find themselves just one point shy of the European places.

Match preview

Athletic Bilbao extended their winning streak to three matches with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Almeria on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Nico Williams and Oscar de Marcos.

Williams has now bagged six goals and five assists in the league this season, while his older brother, Inaki Williams, has scored three goals in his last three appearances, including a brace in last week's 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad.

Not only have the Lions avoided defeat in each of their last six games across all competitions - picking up four wins and two draws along the way - but they have lost just one of their previous eight encounters.

As a result, Ernesto Valverde's men find themselves two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis, meaning that Europa League qualification remains a real possibility.

Only the top four teams have a better defensive record than Athletic, while only four sides in the division have scored more goals, so the Basque outfit deserve to be pushing for European football once again.

Sevilla head into Thursday's clash on the back of a last-gasp victory over Villarreal, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring the winning goal in the 94th minute to send the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium into raptures.

Thanks to Sunday's 2-1 triumph, Los Nervionenses have taken 10 points from their last four La Liga encounters, with 2-0 wins at Cadiz and Valencia preceding last weekend's victory.

It is also worth noting that Sevilla have lost just two of their previous 10 games across all competitions, picking up six wins and two draws in the process, with a memorable 3-0 victory over Manchester United sending the club in the Europa League semi-finals.

Jorge Sampaoli was sacked on March 21 following a run of five defeats in seven matches, with Jose Luis Mendilibar replacing the Argentine at the helm, and the new manager has yet to taste defeat as Sevilla boss.

Not so long ago, it looked as though Sevilla would be involved in a relegation dogfight, but the Andalusia outfit have turned their season around and now find themselves just two points shy of the top 10.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

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Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

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Sevilla La Liga form:

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Sevilla form (all competitions):

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Team News

Athletic Bilbao will be without the injured duo of Jon Morcillo (collarbone) and Iker Munain (muscle) on Thursday, while Mikel Vesga and Oier Zarraga are suspended.

The hosts are also sweating on the fitness of defender Inigo Lekue, who has missed the past seven matches due to a muscle injury.

Gorka Guruzeta will continue to lead the line for Athletic, with Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams expected to operate behind the lone striker.

Sevilla have a couple of injury problems of their own, with Joan Jordan (ACL) out for the season and Marcao (thigh) sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Having scored five goals in his last six appearances across all competitions, Youssef En-Nesyri will likely be restored to the starting XI at the expense of Rafa Mir.

Bryan Gil and Suso will continue to occupy the wide attacking roles, while Ivan Rakitic and Pape Gueye are expected to anchor the midfield.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Alvarez, Martinez, Berchiche; Herrera, Vesga; Williams, Sancet, Williams; Guruzeta

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Montiel, Nianzou, Bade, Telles; Gueye, Rakitic; Suso, Oliver, Gil; En-Nesyri

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Sevilla

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