Competition: La Liga
Market: Athletic Bilbao win
Odds: 1/2 @ 888sport
Two sides who already find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the La Liga table, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Almeria to San Mamés on Friday night.
Starting with the hosts, heading into the international break with an action-packed display at home against Rayo Vallecano, Athletic Bilbao will be desperate to keep up that momentum here. Eventually picking up a 3-2 victory at San Mamés, Head Coach Ernesto Valverde will now have a European finish at the top of their agenda this season. Continuing to impress since opening the 2022/23 campaign, the ex-Barcelona boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Likewise, on a run that is highlighted by 4-0 and 4-1 wins against Cadiz and Elche, Bilbao have now won four of their previous five La Liga showdowns. Marking their return to action on Friday night sat fourth in the table, it should also be noted that Valverde’s high-flying squad have lost just one of their opening six domestic contests so far this season. With 20-year-old Nico Williams finding the net in back-to-back top-flight outings, Bilbao should be smelling a real chance here.
As for the visitors, while Bilbao might be riding a real wave when they return from the international break on Friday night, the same cannot be said for a struggling Almeria. Although Los Rojiblancos might have marked their La Liga return back in May, many across Spain have tipped Rubi’s side to find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap this time around. Last seen on September 17th when heading into the fortnight break with a 1-0 loss away at Mallorca, the former Real Betis boss has seen his side lose each of their previous three top-flight showdowns. Failing to record a single strike in any of those three consecutive defeats, there is no doubt that Almeria should be bracing themselves for a tough test at San Mamés. Failing to win any of their last eight straight meetings against the European contenders, we’re backing a home victory on Friday night.
Bet: Athletic Bilbao 1/2 to beat Almeria in Friday’s La Liga showdown @ 888sport
