Athletic Club will look to make it four wins on the trot in La Liga when they host Sevilla, who are unbeaten in their last three matches. The two sides will go one-on-one on Thursday at the San Mames Barria, with kickoff slated for 20:00 GMT.
Sevilla will look to make a late push to climb the table into the top half, while Bilbao will seek to get the three points they need to make a late push to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Key Highlights
Athletic Club’s Unbeaten Run in La Liga
Ernesto Valverde’s charges are unbeaten in their last five matches. They have won four times and drawn once in this run. They are also on a three-match winning run; they will look to make it four on the trot when they host Sevilla on Thursday.
Bilbao are currently sitting seventh on the La Liga table with 46 points. They are eight points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad, who have 54 points.
With eight matches remaining in the La Liga season, Athletic will look to get the wins they need to make a late push for the top four.
Ernesto Valverde will mentally prepare his side for the clash with Sevilla, focusing on winning the match.
Sevilla’s Fight to Finish in the Top Half of the Table
After stunning Manchester United in a commanding 3-0 triumph last Thursday, Sevilla will look to put some momentum into their La Liga campaign as it draws to a close.
They are currently 13th on the table with 35 points, three behind 10th-placed Girona. José Luis Mendilibar will look to get his side to play with confidence and dynamism in La Liga as they look to climb into the top half.
La Liga will also be used as a launching ground for their upcoming Europa League semi-final clash against Juventus.
Injury Report
Athletic Bilbao
Ernesto Valverde will be without left winger Jon Morcillo in the clash against Sevilla on Thursday. The 24-year-old is sidelined with a collarbone fracture, which has kept him out of action for nine matches since February 27, 2023.
Bilbao will also be without the services of right-back Inigo Lekue, who has been nursing a hamstring injury since March 6, 2023.
Valverde will also miss attacking midfielder Iker Muniain in the clash against Sevilla. The attacker is nursing a calf injury, which has kept him out of action since April 19, 2023.
Sevilla
Sevilla will also miss the services of central midfielder Joan Jordan; the midfielder has been sidelined with an unknown injury since April 17, 2023; he has missed two matches for Sevilla so far since he has been out injured.
Possible Lineups
Athletic Bilbao
U. Simon; Y. Berchiche, I. Martinez, Y. Alvarez, O. de Marcos; M. Vesga, A. Herrera; N. Williams, O. O. Sancet, I. Williams; G. Guruzeta
Sevilla
Bono; J. Navas, L. Bade, Marcao, M. Acuna; Fernando, N. Gudelj; L. Ocampos, I. Rakitic, E. Lamela; Y. En-Nesyri
Prediction
Playing at home, Athletic Bilbao will look to dominate the match and create good quality chances to bolster their chances of winning.
Bilbao will use their midfield to recycle possession and launch attacks from deep or down the wide areas, leveraging the pace of their wide players. They will also use quick passing to open the Sevilla defense and create goal-scoring chances.
Sevilla will look to counter the Bilbao pressure by pressing the ball and winning it in dangerous areas. They will go toe-to-toe with Bilbao in this clash as they look to compete for possession and territory.
In their current form, coupled with playing at home, Athletic Club will have the advantage in this clash. Bilbao will win the match and bolster their chances of climbing the table at the business end of the La Liga season.
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