Verdict: Athletic Bilbao draw no wager
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Hoping to discover a route into the top-four on Thursday night, Athletic Bilbao will journey to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan after they meet Sevilla.
Sevilla
Starting with the hosts, whereas Sevilla might need claimed a vital 3-0 victory away at Granada on December nineteenth, Quique Sanchez Flores has a serious job on his palms. Making an instantaneous return to shedding methods final outing as they entered the festive interval with a 1-0 defeat towards Atletico Madrid, the one-time Watford boss has seen his squad lose 4 of their earlier 5 appearances throughout all competitions. Watching their Champions League journey come to an finish final month as they signed off their lackluster group stage run with a 2-1 loss towards French outfit Lens, Sevilla are as soon as once more trying overhear shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Opening the New Year holding only a three-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, Thursday’s hosts have additionally gained a popularity for his or her prolonged points on house soil. In truth, Flores’ struggling squad have didn’t win any of their final seven straight contests on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Team News
Dealing with what has been an actual damage disaster this season, Sevilla will as soon as once more be with out the likes of Marcus Acuna, Loic Bade, Jesus Navas and former Tottenham midfielder Eric Lamela on Thursday night.
Opening his La Liga account towards Granada final month, ex-Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos will as soon as once more companion Nemanja Gudelj on the coronary heart of Flores’ defence. Despite failing to notch a single La Liga strike because the begin of November, Morocco worldwide Youssef En Nesyri must be handed a full recall right here.
Athletic Bilbao
As for the guests, whereas Athletic Bilbao might need been annoyed final season as they missed out on the prospect to ebook a European return, the Lions are having fun with a serious home flurry this time round. Heading into the festive break with one other rugged efficiency as they secured a 1-0 victory towards Las Palmas, Ernesto Valverde’s facet are dreaming of the prospect to mount a real Champions League cost in 2024. With the temper round San Mames at a continued excessive and receiving a string of reward, the previous Barcelona boss can be calling on his squad to make one other La Liga assertion right here. In truth, on a purple patch that’s highlighted by a 2-0 victory towards Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on December sixteenth, Bilbao are unbeaten in all of their earlier 10 straight appearances throughout all competitions. Riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum, Thursday’s friends must be smelling a possible alternative after they arrive on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in midweek.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term groin difficulty and never making a single La Liga look since again on October seventh, Athletic Bilbao are as soon as once more sweating over the health of homegrown defender Yeray Alvarez. However, the Lions are hopeful that Oscar de Marcos will overcome a current ankle blow.
Coming off the bench and bagging a late winner towards Las Palmas previous to Spain’s festive break, 20-year-old Unai Gomez might be handed a primary La Liga begin on Thursday night. ex-Manchester United ace Ander Herrera will as soon as once more companion Benat Prados Diaz on the coronary heart of Valverde’s midfield.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao final met again on April twenty seventh, Thursday’s hosts picked up a 1-0 victory at San Mames.
- However, Sevilla have misplaced 4 of their earlier 5 appearances throughout all competitions.
- Likewise, Los Nervionenses have remarkably didn’t win any of their final seven showdowns in entrance of their very own supporters.
- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in all of their earlier 10 straight appearances throughout all competitions.
- The Lions have additionally shipped only a single purpose in any of their final 5 home appearances.
Conclusion
Entering the festive break within the midst of an actual La Liga purple patch, Athletic Bilbao can be smelling the prospect to make a press release right here. Opening the New Year sat simply three factors adrift of breaking into the Champions League spots, the Lions can be trying to money in on a Sevilla squad which might be enduring one other public disaster. Along with shedding 4 of their earlier 5 appearances throughout all fronts, Thursday’s hosts have additionally didn’t muster a single win in entrance of their very own supporters because the finish of September.
Verdict: Athletic Bilbao draw no wager
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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