Athletic Bilbao visit Estadio Martínez Valero on Monday for the La Liga clash with home side Elche CF. This is the last game of the first round of the new La Liga season for the 2021-22 campaign.
Elche come to this match having escaped the relegation zone last season with only two points. They managed 36 points in their 38 fixture matches wining only eight.
Elche are determined to hang on in the top flight and this saw the manager have new signings including Ivan Marcone, Johan Mojica and Lucas Boye. Kiko Casilla too has arrived on loan. This signings have fixed the team and Elche will have many players at their disposal.
Elche will be in need of the victory desperately to start off the season following on the upcoming games will be a rough time with the champions Atletico Madrid before welcoming Sevilla at the end of the month.
The opponents secured the 10th place last season and will be looking forward to do better this season. Athletic Bilbao come to this game from a friendly ended 1-1 draw against Liverpool who have managed their first Premier League match with a 3-0 victory.
The preseason preparations saw Bilbao come out with three wins and one draw from away friendlies. However, Athletic Bilbao head into the game without a win in their last four La Liga games, managing one draw and losing on three occasions
Elche vs Athletic Bilbao head to head
Since 2013, These two sides have met in 7 matches Athletic Bilbao the best head to head performer with 3 victories and 2 draws while Elche only 2 victories. Elche have not won in their last 4 home matches.
- Elche 2:0 Bilbao 22/05/21
- Bilbao 1:0 Elche 03/01/21
- Elche 4:5 Bilbao 22/01/20
- Elche 2:3 Bilbao 17/05/15
- Bilbao 1:2 Elche 11/01/15
Home
- Elche 1-2 Levante
- Elche 1-1 Cartagena
- Alaves 0-1 Elche
- Elche 2-2 Tenerife
- Elche 0-2 Zaragoza
Away
- Liverpool 1-1 Bilbao
- Southampton 1-3 Bilbao
- Union Berlin 2-1 Bilbao
- Dortmund 0-2 Bilbao
- Bilbao 1-0 Dynamo Kiev
Elche team news
Jony Alamo and Luismi have been ruled out through injuries and will miss this match.
Athletic Bilbao team news
There are a no. of injuries in this camp including: Yuri Berchiche, Ander Capa, Inigo Cordoba, Kenyan Kodro, Peru Nolaskoain and Aitor Paredes. Raul Garcia is suspended and will miss this match.
Prediction and odds
- Bilbao to win
- Scores under 2.5
