Athletic Bilbao-Espanyol, La Liga Prediction

Athletic failed to cope with the difficult task of getting something out of Mestalla last week, which is not that strange considering the bats’ shape and class at the moment. The problems of Bilbao are not there, however, but in the huge number of draws during the season. Only their last rival, Valencia, have more draws than the Basques, which stops them from a real fight for top 4, but the battle for the top 7 is still open.

Espanyol entered a much better game lately in 5 games without losing, but three of these matches were home games. Their form in the visits remains terrible, and in most of the games, the Catalans go out and strive for draw. Espanyol is far from the danger zone, so by the end of the campaign they play to improve their shape.

We expect this to be a very even game and quite difficult to predict. There are no serious trends either in the form of the two teams during the season or in the matches between them. We do not think Bilbao will lose. They only have 2 losses as a host in La Liga and they came at the beginning of the season, but now they are in a much better shape. Most likely, Espanyol will again fight for draw, but the key here is the absence of important figures in the guests’ team. Bilbao is a great club and should begin to prove it more often. Now they are given the opportunity to take 3 points against a weak guest and should take it. Prediction – Athletic to win at 1.90.

• Espanyol has only 1 win as a guest in La Liga, which came against Huesca
• Athletic allowed only 1 goal in the last 6 home games in La Liga