Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Match Analysis & Prediction


14/04/2024 7:30 pm


Fresh from winning the 2023-24 Copa del Rey title, Athletic Bilbao will resume their La Liga campaign with a home game against Villarreal on Sunday.
Athletic are currently fifth in the table and two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while the visitors sit 10th, 11 points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad in the battle to secure a European spot.
Ernesto Valverde’s side needed penalties to overcome Mallorca in last weekend’s Copa del Rey final, with the Lions winning the famous competition for the 25th time in their history.
The Basque outfit will now switch their attention back to La Liga and their attempt to secure a top-four finish, with Athletic looking to claim a Champions League spot for the first time since 2013-14.
Athletic claimed a 2-0 victory over Alaves in their last game in front of their own supporters, but they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in their last match in La Liga at the end of March.
Valverde’s side have the fifth-best home record in La Liga this season, claiming 36 points from 15 matches, and they will be hosting a Villarreal side who have 19 points to show from their 14 away games.
Meanwhile, Villarreal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Atletico on April 1, with the result ending a four-game winning run in La Liga, which allowed them to rise up the table.
The Yellow Submarine have been victorious in three of their last four away league matches, remaining unbeaten in the process, with the victories coming against Barcelona, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Villarreal Head to head
In the 49 previous meetings between these two teams, Athletic have claimed 16 victories while Villarreal have won 18, and they have drawn in 15. Villarreal have scored 69 goals and conceded 56 in the process.
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23/10/2021Athletic Bilbao2Villarreal1La Liga
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09/04/2022Villarreal1Athletic Bilbao1La Liga
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30/10/2022Athletic Bilbao1Villarreal0La Liga
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13/05/2023Villarreal5Athletic Bilbao1La Liga
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05/11/2023Villarreal2Athletic Bilbao3La Liga
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Athletic will be without the services of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, with the midfielder picking up a milestone yellow card in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the league last time out.
Mikel Vesga is therefore expected to come into the side from the Copa del Rey final lineup, while there will be a return in goal for number one goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Athletic Bilbao's Last 5 Matches
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03/03/2024Athletic Bilbao0Barcelona0La Liga
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10/03/2024Las Palmas0Athletic Bilbao2La Liga
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16/03/2024Athletic Bilbao2Alaves0La Liga
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31/03/2024Real Madrid2Athletic Bilbao0La Liga
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06/04/2024Athletic BilbaoP 1Mallorca1Copa del Rey
Villarreal Team News
Villarreal’s Francis Coquelin, Eric Baily, Pepe Reina, Ramon Terrats, Juan Foyth and Denis Suarez are unavailable for selection this weekend due to injury issues.
Alex Baena is set to feature in central midfield, with Coquelin dropping out, while Gerard Moreno, Goncalo Guedes and Alexander Sorloth should continue in the final third of the field.
Villarreal's Last 5 Matches
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07/03/2024Marseille4Villarreal0Europa League
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10/03/2024Real Betis2Villarreal3La Liga
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14/03/2024Villarreal3Marseille1Europa League
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17/03/2024Villarreal1Valencia0La Liga
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01/04/2024Villarreal1Atletico Madrid2La Liga
Athletic Bilbao vs. Villarreal: Odds and Predictions
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