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

The home side are currently fifth, seven points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad, while Athletic occupy eighth, level on points with seventh-placed Girona in the race to secure European football for next term.

Match preview

Villarreal are in a position to challenge for the top four late in the campaign, but they have given themselves a lot to do, with the gap to fourth-placed Real Sociedad currently seven points.

The Yellow Submarine, as it stands, would qualify for the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League, and fifth would be a step in the right direction, having been seventh in their last two campaigns at this level.

Quique Setien's side are two points ahead of sixth-placed Real Betis and seven clear of Girona in seventh, and they will enter this match in strong form, having picked up seven points from their last three matches.

Villarreal's home form this season has been strong, picking up 32 points from 16 matches, but they will be hosting an Athletic side that have impressed on their travels, only losing five of their 16 games, which is less than Real Madrid (six) and the same number as Real Sociedad.

The Yellow Submarine, who drew 1-1 with Valencia last time out, have not actually beaten Athletic in the league since September 2018, and they suffered a 1-0 loss in the reverse game earlier this season.

Athletic, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 home loss to Real Betis, and the Basque outfit have only picked up one point from their last three games during a disappointing run of form.

Ernesto Valverde's side are currently eighth in the table, level on points with seventh-placed Girona, who are currently holding the spot which equals qualification for the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Athletic have not finished in the top seven since the 2016-17 campaign, so they are looking to make a big step in the right direction this season, but there is still a lot of work to do.

The Lions have not been victorious in Spain's top flight since April 22, but they held Mallorca to a 1-1 draw in their last match on their travels at the start of the month.

Athletic are only three points ahead of 11th-placed Sevilla, so a strong campaign could quickly become a disappointing one if they are unable to enjoy a strong end to the season.

Villarreal La Liga form:

W

L

L

W

W

D

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

W

W

W

L

D

L

Team News

Villarreal will be missing five players through injury for this weekend's contest, with Giovani Lo Celso, Yeremy Pino, Jose Luis Morales, Kiko Femenia and Francis Coquelin on the sidelines.

There will be changes from the side that started against Valencia last time out, with Etienne Capoue and Gerard Moreno set to come into the starting XI.

Gerard Moreno's return is likely to see Nicolas Jackson switch into a wide area for the Yellow Submarine, while Ramon Terrats is expected to drop out of the midfield and down to the bench.

As for Athletic, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Martinez, Iker Muniain and Jon Morcillo will miss the match through injury, while Daniel Vivian is suspended following his red card against Real Betis.

The Basque outfit have huge selection problems in the middle of their defence due to their absentees; Aitor Paredes is set to continue at centre-back this weekend, and he could now be joined by Mikel Balenziaga.

Further forward, Ander Herrera is pushing to be included in central midfield, but Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta are all set to retain their starting spots.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Reina; Foyth, Abiol, P Torres, Pedraza; Capoue, Parejo, Baena; Chukwueze, G Moreno, Jackson

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Balenziaga, Paredes, Yuri; Herrera, Vesga; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta

We say: Villarreal 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

This is a big match in Spain's top flight, as both teams have ambitions of securing European football for next season. Athletic are capable of pulling off a positive result, but their defensive absentees have led to us siding with Villarreal, who have won 10 of their 16 home league games this term.

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