Athletico Bilbao will welcome Almeria to Estadio San Mames for the opening fixture of La Liga Matchday Six on Friday night.
The two sides have made contrasting starts to the new La Liga campaign with Athletic Bilbao winning four, drawing one and losing one of their six opening matches and currently sit fourth in the league standings on 13 points; while Almeria have lost four, drawn one and won one of their six matches and currently sit 16th on four points, level on points with Valladolid who sit in the relegation zone.
Bilbao are coming off back-to-back league victories over Elche (4-1) and Vallecano (3-2), while Almeria have lost all there last three league encounters suffering 1-0 defeat to all Valladolid, Osasuna and Mallorca.
Therefore, while Bilbao will be looking to continue their impressive campaign in La Liga after the international break, Almeria will be looking snap their current league run and get back on track with a positive result on Friday.
However, Bilbao are unbeaten against Almeria in their last eight La Liga matches, winning six time in the run with four of the victories coming at San Mames. Therefore Bilbao should be confidence of picking up another three points on Friday.
Bilbao vs Almeria head to head
Both sides have met in 12encounters since 2007 with Bilbao winning seven times, while Almeria have won two times and three have three draws.
- Bilbao 2-1 Almeria 22/02/15
- Almeria 0-1 Bilbao 25/10/14
- Almeria 0-0 Bilbao 18/05/14
- Bilbao 6-1 Almeria 11/01/14
- Almeria 1-3 Bilbao 04/04/11
Home
- Bilbao 3-2 Vallecano
- Elche 1-4 Bilbao
- Bilbao 0-1 Espanyol
- Cadiz 0-4 Bilbao
- Bilbao 1-0 Valencia
Away
- Mallorca 1-0 Almeria
- Almeria 0-1 Osasuna
- Valladolid 1-0 Almeria
- Almeria 2-1 Sevilla
- Elche 1-1 Almeria
Bilbao team news
Bilbao will be without Mikel Balenziaga, Yuri Berchiche, Mikel Vesga and Julen Agirrezabala due to injuries, while Dani Vivian and Ander Herrera are doubts.
Almeria team news
Almeria will be without Ivan Martos, Juanjo Nieto, Cesar De La Hoz, Alex Centelles and Leo Baptistao due to injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Bilbao win
- Both sides to score (NO)
- Goals under 2.5
