There will be a massive match in the race for European qualification in La Liga this weekend, as Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao collide. The increase pressure will be on the home side, who are currently ten points behind their rivals in the standings.
La Liga Preview
It has been a solid season to this point for Athletic Bilbao, and they could yet end the campaign by achieving a Champions League position. The Spanish side come into this round of matches sitting fifth in the table, but they are just two points below Atletico Madrid after 25 rounds of matches. They could move into the Champions League spots with a victory this weekend.
Bilbao come into the weekend in solid form after going four without defeat in the Spanish top-flight. Over that period, they have recorded two victories, with their most recent win coming last weekend against Girona. It was a stunning performance by the home side on that occasion, with Alejandro Remiro netting twice, and Inaki Williams also finding the back of the net.
The increased pressure this weekend is likely to be on the home side, as this is effectively a must-win fixture if they are to mount a Champions League push. Betis have been in solid form in recent weeks after avoiding defeat in their last four matches, but they remain ten points behind Bilbao, and 12 behind the top four sides.
The hosts this weekend would have been disappointed with their most recent performance in the league, as they couldn’t find a breakthrough against Alaves when playing out a 0-0 draw. Betis looked short in the final third on that afternoon, managing just two shots on target from 13 efforts.
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Head to Head
Bilbao landed a 4-2 success in the reverse fixture between these Spanish sides earlier in the season to end a three-game winless run against Betis. Betis still hold the advantage across recent seasons after winning two of their last four. Meanwhile, Bilbao hasn’t recorded an away win against Betis since December 2017.
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
This is a match with huge ramifications for the home side. However, Bilbao have progressed effortlessly throughout the season, and they appear to be getting better. Therefore, we could see the away side ending their wait for a first league away win at Betis since 2017.
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