The Spanish La Liga has a three-game Sunday schedule, starting with Barcelona’s trip to Villarreal as the champions look to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign. You’ll find an in-depth preview and predictions elsewhere on this site. The second match pairs Granada and Mallorca before attentions turn to a top-of-the-bill tussle involving Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis. Keep reading as our team of football writers preview the game from Bilbao, checking the form and stats before making a prediction.
Bilbao and Betis met twice last season in two tight games that produced just one goal in over 180 minutes of play. Betis won 1-0 in Bilbao after a strike from William Jose in six minutes. The beaten team saw their chances of snatching a late draw vanish when Dani Vivian was red-carded near the end. Armchair fans hope to see more goals and as much drama in this renewal. Will they get their wish?
Rocky start for Bilbao
A big season lies ahead for Athletic Bilbao and its fans as they target a European finish, hoping to make it to the Conference League or better. The hard work starts now, but it has been a rocky opening two weeks for the home team, bagging three of the first six points available. They lost their opening game, sparking grumbles from a long-suffering support that feared the worst but got off the mark at the second time of asking. Bilbao is now at a crossroads, even at this early stage. Win, and they’ll be in the mix for the major places, lose and they’ll drop down the list.
Bilbao was in winning form in their last game when they beat Osasuna 2-0 on the road. They weren’t the pre-game favorites to win, and few expected them to claim the points so comfortably. But they got the job done in style. In a bad-tempered game where both teams ended with 10 men, Williams scored the opener inside 11 minutes before Guruzeta added a second less than 10 minutes later. It was a convincing performance and a timely confidence boost for a capable team.
Betis unbeaten in two
Real Betis provides the opposition on Sunday evening and will arrive unbeaten in their opening two games. They have four points on the board from a possible six, scoring two goals and conceding one. Another side that’s yet to find its feet, but there’s no denying Betis as a squad that’s good enough to challenge for the major places. Three points gained and back-to-back wins would ensure the club’s critics take them seriously. Betis are ready to show what they can do.
Bet hereThe visitors won on matchday one, collecting the points thanks to a 2-1 away win over Villarreal. In a close contest, Perez put his men ahead after 20 minutes, but Villarreal fired back with an equalizer from Cuenca after an hour. With the game heading for a draw and another share for Betis, they scored a winner deep into stoppage time when Da Silva netted to win the points. It was late drama, but the fans didn’t mind. Betis is struggling for goals like many teams early in the season, but they’re improving, and it won’t be long until they click into place and start scoring for fun.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Betis prediction
Bilbao is the home team, but neither side captures the imagination or inspires us to back them for a win. Both are good enough to target the three points and will be disappointed if they leave with nothing, but the recent form suggests a goal-fest is unlikely. Instead, it’ll be a slog from the first whistle, with the winner being the team that holds its concentration best and keeps individual errors to a minimum.
At least one team has failed to find the net in each of the last three renewals of this fixture, and that trend goes back further. No in the both teams to score market would’ve been a winner in seven of the previous ten. A nervy 90 minutes is on the schedule, and armchair fans will be left crying out for some creativity.
La Liga odds
The pre-match betting odds available at 22bet show a competitive contest is expected by the traders, who share our fears after studying the stats. Although it’s early days in the league, anything can happen as the players get up to speed and the coaches cement their strongest 11 players to start a game.
Which team do you fancy to win on Sunday in Bilbao? Back Athletic Bilbao at 1.9, or support Real Betis in your predictions at 3.98. The draw won’t be easily overlooked at 3.62.
Make sure to bet on Athletic Bilbao v Real Betis with 22Bet!
Bet here
