Villarreal host Athletic Bilbao in La Liga top-8 clash
Villarreal CF vs Athletic Bilbao - 13/05/2023
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Athletic Bilbao are in a dogfight to finish the La Liga season in the European qualification places. The Lions are five points off sixth-place Real Betis with five matches left to play.
Athletic Club’s form is faltering in the latter stages of the season. The team is winless in three straight matches ahead of the trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal, on the other hand, are in fine form and are unbeaten in three straight matches. The Yellow Submarine are fifth in the La Liga standings and seven points ahead of seventh-place Girona in the race for Europa League qualification.
Athletic Bilbao won the reverse fixture between the teams in October. The defeat occurred following the departure of Villarreal manager Unai Emery for Aston Villa.
Inaki Williams scored the match’s only goal, as Athletic Bilbao won at home.
Villarreal were poor in the reverse fixture, tallying a mere six shots and conceding 19 to Athletic Club. The Yellow Submarine did have more possession, with 57.2%, but couldn’t do anything with the ball.
The teams drew their last four matches at the Estadio de la Ceramica. The Yellow Submarine do not have a strong head-to-head record against Athletic, with 0W-3D-3L in the last six meetings.
Athletic Bilbaof are not in good form, however. The team is winless in three straight games. The Lions still took 10 points from the last six matches.
Villarreal also picked up 10 points from their last six matches and are on a three-match unbeaten run.
Manager Ernesto Valverde will be without defender Daniel Vivian due to a suspension. The Athletic manager will also be without defenders Yeray Alvarez and Inigo Martinez. Both have leg injuries. Forwards Iker Muniain and Jon Morcillo are doubts to play due to their respective injuries.
Villarreal coach Quique Setien could be without five players for the match. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is out for the season with a muscle problem.
Forward Yeremi Pino could miss the rest of the campaign with a muscle injury.
Forward Jose Luis Morales is out until late May with a hamstring injury. Defender Kiko Femenia could make the squad following a muscle injury. Midfielder Francis Coquelin is out until next season with a knee injury.
Athletic Bilbao are on a three-match winless streak, and should continue at the Estadio de la Ceramica.Villarreal should pick up a win 2-1 to continue their unbeaten run.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Es1
373528
1
2 - 1
3.11
16°
2.15
2.15
3.40
3.30
no
no
no
5 - 1(2 - 1)
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