Athletic Club vs Villarreal Preview
- Date – Sunday, April 14
- Kick-off Time – 5:30 pm GMT
- Venue – San Mames
Athletic Club will host under-fire Villarreal in a crucial weekend clash in La Liga on Sunday, April 14. Both sides are fighting for European qualification this season, with this game potentially being a thriller at San Mames.
It was a historic night for Athletic Club as they won the Copa del Rey for the first time in over 40 years. The Spanish giants are aiming to finish the season in the top four as they are only two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid. But they have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last eight fixtures. The hosts have played an entertaining style of football and have scored 50 goals in their 30 matches so far this season.
Villarreal are sitting at 10th in the league table and are coming off a 2-1 home loss to Atletico Madrid in its last game. The Yellow Submarines have been underperforming throughout the campaign and have struggled on their travels. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in Athletic Club’s favour with a narrow 2-3 victory.
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Athletic Club vs Villarreal Team News
Athletic Club will be without midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta who is expected to be out with a suspension. Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta is expected to feature in the final third.
As for Villarreal, they will be without the services of Denis Suarez, Yeremy Pino, Juan Foyth, Ramon Terrats and Pepe Reina through injury. Players like Eric Bailly, Raul Albiol and Alfonso Pedraza are doubts but the latter is expected to make a surprise return this weekend. Full-backs Alberto Moreno and Kiko Femenia who were suspended in their previous clash against Atletico Madrid will be available for this away game.
Athletic Club vs Villarreal Predicted Lineups
Athletic Club Predicted XI:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Prados, Vesga; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Villarreal Predicted XI:
Jorgensen; Romero, Mosquera, Mandi, Cuenca; Traore, Comesana, Parejo, Baena; G Moreno, Sorloth
Athletic Club vs Villarreal Head-to-Head
The two sides have faced off 49 times, with Athletic Club winning only 16 of them. Villarreal have dominated by winning 18 times while the other 15 of their clashes have ended in a draw.
Last five results:
- Villarreal 2-3 Athletic Club – La Liga – November 05, 2023
- Villarreal 5-1 Athletic Club – La Liga – May 13, 2023
- Athletic Club 1-0 Villarreal – La Liga – October 30, 2022
- Villarreal 1-1 Athletic Club – La Liga – April 09, 2022
- Athletic Club 2-1 Villarreal – La Liga – October 23, 2021
Athletic Club vs Villarreal Prediction
Athletic Club secured the Copa del Rey for the 24th time last weekend against Mallorca courtesy of a penalty shootout victory. Ernesto Valverde’s side are very much in the argument for a top-four finish this season as they are sitting just two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, Villarreal have been witnessing an underwhelming season as they struggled for consistency in the first half of the 2023/24 season. Marcelino’s men are 11 points off sixth-placed Real Sociedad in the race to secure European action next season. The Yellow Submarines are under their third manager of the campaign after the sackings of both Quique Setien and Pacheta earlier this campaign.
Athletic Club won against Villarreal away earlier this season and expects a similar result this time around at home.
Predicted Score: Athletic Club 2-1 Villarreal
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Athletic Club vs Villarreal Odds (subject to change)
Athletic Club win – 1.74
Villarreal win – 4.60
Draw – 3.90
Odds source – Unibet
Betting Tips
- Athletic Club win – 1.74
- Total goals under 2.5 – 2.18
Where to Watch Athletic Club vs Villarreal
- India – Jio Cinema, Sports 18
- UK – ITV
- US – ESPN+
- Spain- DAZN