A pivotal La Liga match is set to unfold on Friday evening as Athletic Bilbao hosts Elche CF at San Mames. The contest is crucial for both teams, with Athletic needing to improve their standing and Elche striving to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Athletic Bilbao: Current Standing and Form
Athletic Bilbao enters this matchup ranked ninth in La Liga, amassing 31 points from 24 matches. They have recorded nine victories, four draws, and eleven defeats. Currently, they trail league leaders Real Madrid by 29 points and are 14 points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
The Basque club’s recent performance suggests a potential turning point. They achieved a 2-1 victory over Real Oviedo, their third win in the last five matches combined with one draw and one loss. Athletic’s home ground, San Mames, has seen them collect 20 points from twelve matches, underlining their strength at home.
Elche CF: Struggles and Goals
Elche CF, on the other hand, sits precariously in sixteenth place with 25 points. Their campaign has been marred by inconsistency, recording five wins, ten draws, and nine defeats. With 31 goals scored and 35 conceded, their lack of finishing ability has been a concern, especially since they have not secured a win away from home this season.
Their record on the road is troubling, gathering only four points from 33 available. Their recent form indicates they have not won in their last five matches, with a goalless draw against Osasuna illustrating their inability to capitalize on opportunities.
Previous Encounters
The last match between Athletic and Elche ended in a scoreless draw. Historical data indicates a tightly contested rivalry, with Athletic winning two of the last five encounters, while Elche has one win, and two ended in draws.
Team News
Injury concerns affect both squads ahead of this clash. Athletic Bilbao is likely to be without Alex Berenguer, nursing a muscle issue, and Nico Williams due to a groin injury. Other absentees include Unai Egiluz and Benat Prados, both recovering from serious injuries. Mikel Jauregizar is doubtful following an injury in the previous match.
For Elche, Grady Diangana is uncertain due to physical discomfort, while Hector Fort is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Josan is also a concern as he continues to recover from a muscle issue. Andre Silva and Alvaro Rodriguez are expected to lead Elche’s attack.
Predicted Lineups
| Athletic Bilbao | Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Rego; Serrano, Sancet, Williams; Guruzeta |
|---|---|
| Elche CF | Dituro; Valera, Bigas, Chust, Petrot; Morente, Aguado, Febas, Cepeda; Rodriguez, Silva |
Match Prediction
Given Athletic Bilbao’s solid home record and recent improvements, they are favored to secure a win. Elche’s struggles on the road, coupled with their lack of offensive potency, position them at a disadvantage. A score of 2-0 in favor of Athletic Bilbao is a strong possibility.
