Athletic Bilbao will be looking to maintain their strong start to the 2022-23 season this weekend, as they host Espanyol. As for the visitors, they will be looking for a first victory of the new campaign to move away from the relegation places.
La Liga Preview
Athletic Bilbao certainly look more than capable of challenging for a European place this term, based on the performances that we have seen from them already this campaign. They currently sit fourth in the La Liga standings after winning two of their opening three league fixtures.
Bilbao are one of two sides in the Spanish top-flight yet to concede a goal in the league, and they have found the back of the net on five occasions. Bilbao maintained their excellent start to the new season on Monday evening, as they picked up a dominant 4-0 win on the road against Cadiz. Gorka Guruzeta scored twice in that victory, while Inaki Williams and Alejandro Berenguer Remiro also found the target.
Espanyol certainly would have been disappointed with their performances at the start of the new season, as they find themselves down in 16th place in the league standings. They are yet to win a league fixture in three attempts this term, and have conceded seven goals already, which is the second worst defensive record in the Spanish top-flight.
After drawing on the opening day, Espanyol have lost each of their previous two fixtures in La Liga. The most recent of those defeats came at home against Real Madrid. They looked to have got a draw from the reigning European champions, but Madrid scored twice in the dying embers of the game. Joselu scored Espanyol’s goal, while Benjamin Lecomte was sent off in the 96th minute, which means he will be missing for this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Head to Head
Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in five matches against Espanyol. However, they have recorded just two victories during that run. One of those victories came in this exact fixture last season, as they won 2-1. However, three of the previous five matches have ended in 1-1 draws.
Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Prediction
Espanyol’s poor start to the new season makes it very hard to see them knocking off an opponent that are yet to concede a goal this term. The preference is for the home side to pick up a third straight win, and we could see them scoring over 2.5 goals.
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