Athletic Bilbao's push for a top-four finish in the La Liga table will continue on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome basement side Real Valladolid to San Mames.
The Lions are currently fourth in Spain's top flight, four points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal, while Real Valladolid are rock bottom of the division, eight points from the safety of 17th spot with 14 games left.
Match preview
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Athletic have enjoyed an impressive 2024-25 La Liga campaign to date, boasting a record of 12 wins, nine draws and three defeats from their 24 matches to collect 45 points, which has left them in fourth spot, four points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal.
Ernesto Valverde's side are actually only six points off division leaders Barcelona, so they are, according to the league table at least, in the race for the title at this stage, but a top-four finish is a more realistic goal.
Athletic have not finished fourth in La Liga since the 2013-14 campaign, so there is plenty on the line this term, and the Basque outfit are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in Spain's top flight, with their last loss coming at the start of October against Girona.
The Lions have drawn three of their last four, though, including a 1-1 with Espanyol last time out, and the Basque side also have European football to think about, with Roma being confirmed as their opponents in the last-16 stage of the Europa League.
Athletic have the third-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 25 points from their 12 games in front of their own fans, while Real Valladolid have just three points to show from their 12 away matches this term.
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Real Valladolid's struggles continued last weekend when they suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Sevilla, with that result making it five straight losses for the strugglers in Spain's top flight.
Diego Cocca has been relieved of his duties after only eight games in charge, being appointed as the new head coach in the middle of December and then sacked just two months later, with Alvaro Rubio now set to lead the team for the rest of the season.
Keeping the White and Violets in the top flight is not an impossible task, but the team only have 15 points to show from their 24 league matches this season courtesy of a record of four wins, three draws and 17 defeats.
Real Valladolid are eight points behind 17th-placed Las Palmas, while they have the worst attacking record with just 15 goals scored and also the worst defensive record, conceding 52 times, so it is not difficult to understand why it has been a tough season.
Pucela actually held Athletic to a 1-1 draw in the reverse match earlier this season, but they suffered a 3-0 defeat on their last trip to San Mames in Spain's top flight, with that fixture taking place in November 2022.
Team News
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Athletic will be without the services of Alvaro Djalo due to an ankle problem, while Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is again expected to be unavailable for selection due to a hamstring issue.
Head coach Valverde could make one change to the side that took to the field for the clash against Espanyol, with Nico Williams set to return down the left, which would see Alex Berenguer pushed into the centre-forward role.
Mikel Vesga and Gorka Guruzeta are also among those who will be in the thinking of the manager, but the pair are again likely to be among the substitutes for the first whistle on Sunday.
As for Real Valladolid, Marcos Andre will be available again after serving a suspension, but Selim Amallah and Anuar Tuhami will both miss out due to bans of their own.
The visitors will also again be without one of their most talented players in the shape of Raul Moro due to a collarbone injury, while Javi Sanchez is a major doubt due to a muscular problem.
Darwin Machis is in line for a spot in the starting side, potentially as a direct replacement for Tuhami, while Juanmi Latasa is expected to be replaced in the final third of the field by the returning Andre.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Jauregizar, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Berenguer
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Hein; Perez, Aidoo, Torres, Candela; Machis, Grillitsch, Nikitscher, Martin, Aznou; Andre
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Real Valladolid
Athletic have been excellent on home soil this term, and we are finding it incredibly difficult to predict an upset here; Real Valladolid have suffered 11 defeats from their 12 away league games this season, but that is likely to become 12 from 13 on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
