Athletic Bilbao vs Eibar
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Saturday, 14 December 2019
Kick-off at 17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao).
Athletic Club vs Eibar Preview
This Saturday saw the latest in a long line of Basque derby this season. ability Eibar to cement themselves against all odds in the top flight has made this a regular fixture at this level, but there will be some concern in the camp visit that this could be their last visit to San Mames for some time by the side of Jose Luis Mendilibar is looking at several danger in the bottom of the division.
While Athletic will observe to return to European football in 2020. They defeated the last time by Joaquin Betis remarkable hat-trick but they have won 4 of 5 before that. their home record also remains outstanding with an average of 2.38 points per game at home this season in La Liga, the third-best record in the division. They still have only lost once at San Mames in the league under Gaizka Garitano.
There are a lot of Eibar right now that suggest they will be a threat both from records. They have lost their last four matches and that includes the Basque derby against Alaves and Real Sociedad both. The combination of the aging and the lack of impact made by their summer leaves them looking vulnerable player as they have done for some time and a real piece of security may be waiting for them in the new year unless they can change their current poor form around.
Athletic lost some key people last weekend in Seville but they are bolstered by the return from suspension Raul Garcia here. Garitano must decide whether to recall him in front Oihan Sancet or keep faith with the children and used as a striker with Inaki Garcia Williams play out wide again. Eibar while having to cope without the suspended Pape Diop and Fabian Orellana.
Prediction Athletic Bilbao vs Eibar
Bilbao surprised by Betis last match-day with three quick-fire goals. The former are on the road, and do not have the answers to the first to dominate is run by the hosts. However, after the Basque outfit got settled into the game, they began to defend well, and successfully thwarted the danger offensive.
Then they scored two goals of their own, but eventually had to submit a 3-2 defeat away from home.
Meanwhile, Eibar beaten in front of their home crowd, with a solitary goal from Getafe. Eibar have forced some rough tactics, and got rewarded with five yellow cards and a straight red.
This weekend, consider the shape of each team. Bilbao has won four of their last five games overall, and are unbeaten in nine of their previous eleven games overall. At home, they have been exemplary for the whole of 2019.
In fact, they have lost just once in front of the home crowd since early February, and this has come against Valencia. Also note that Bilbao has scored two or more goals in eleven appearances sixteen of their previous home.
On the other hand, Eibar is in the run of five defeats, and even lost eight of their former ten games overall. On the road, they have a single win to show for, from their previous ten games.
Most importantly, Bilbao have recorded six wins in a row the previous h2h, and have lost only once in total against this opponent last decade.
Finally, consider the fact that Bilbao was in the hunt for a place in the top four, while Eibar are hanging by a thread above the relegation cut-off.
Taking these observations into account, expect a dominating performance from Bilbao's match-day.
