Villarreal vs Athletic Prediction: La Liga match on 13.05.2023

In-form Villarreal, chasing a possible top-four finish in the run-in, will hoist out of form Athletic Club on Saturday at El Madrigal for a La Liga clash with top-four ramifications for one of the sides at 16:30 GMT.

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Key Highlights

Villarreal’s Top Four Tilt

Quique Setién and his Villarreal charges are within 7 points of the top four. They are currently fifth on the table with 54 points, seven points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad.

Villarreal are also unbeaten in their last three matches; they have two wins and one draw in this sequence. This form has helped them cut the lead to the top four down to seven points. 

However, Quique Setién will be aware of the competitive nature of the run-in and the fact that his side have been in bad form for a long stretch of the season. In their last five matches, they have collected seven points and dropped eight in the process. 

Villarreal will focus on winning the home match at home against Athletic Club as they seek to apply pressure at the top and cut the gap to fourth-placed Real Sociedad.

Athletic Club’s Bad Run of Form in La Liga

In recent matches, Ernesto Valverde and his charges have seen a downturn in their form. They have gone three matches without a win in La Liga ahead of their away clash at Villarreal. 

Their bad run started with a home defeat against Sevilla (0-1), followed by an away draw at Mallorca (1-1). Last Thursday, Athletic Club continued their bad run with a home defeat against Real Betis (0-1).

In their last five games, Athletic Club have collected seven points from two wins and a draw while losing the other two matches. The inconsistency has seen Valverde and his charges fall down the table to 8th with 47 points, 14 points removed from Real Sociedad in fourth.

Ernest Valverde will be aware that his side have scored just one goal in three matches while conceding three. The focus ahead of Saturday’s clash with Villarreal will be to bolster their defensive setup while enhancing the attacking potency.

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Injury Report

Villarreal

Quique Setién will be without two players ahead of Saturday’s clash against Athletic Club at home.

Defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin will be missing from the matchday squad this weekend. The 31-year-old midfielder is sidelined with a crucial ligament rupture. The enforcer has been out of action since February 13, 2023, and has missed 19 patches for Villarreal.

Villarreal will also miss center-forward Jose Luis Morales from the matchday squad on Saturday against Athletic Club. The experienced 35-year-old is sidelined with a torn muscle fiber; he has been out of contention since April 23, 2023, and has missed eight matches. 

Athletic

Ernesto Valverde will be without left winger Jon Morcillo from the matchday squad. The 24-year-old wide man is nursing a collarbone fracture. He has been out of action for 12 matches since February 27. 2023.

Athletic will also miss the services of center-back Inigo Martinez, with the experienced 31-year-old facing a calf strain that has kept him out since April 25, 2023, and thus sitting out of 3 Athletic Club matches. 

Center-back Yeray Alvarez will be out of contention with Pubities.

Possible Lineups

Villarreal

Pepe Reina; Alfonso, P. Torres, R. Albiol, J. Foyth; A. Baena, D. Parejo, R. Terrats; Y. Pino, N. Jackson, S. Chukwueze

Athletic

U. Simon; O. de Marcos, A. Capa, A. Paredes, Y. Verchiche; D. Garcia, M. Vesga; I. Williams, O. Sancet, N. Williams; G. Guruzeta

Prediction

Villarreal will look to dominate the match at home, control the ball, and set the tempo. Athletic Club will be compact and use transitions to attack.

Villarreal will win the match and bolster their chances of challenging for the top four in the run-in.

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