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Athletic Bilbao will host Eibar in the 14th round of the Spanish La Liga, with both teams feeling they have the chance to get a positive result out of this match.
8th placed Athletic Club has been a bit shaky so far this season, but they improved their form recently and lost just one of the last 7 matches in all competitions. Athletic also won 3 of the last 4 matches, including a 2-1 win at Racing Santander in the Copa Del Rey a few days ago. As usual, home form has been a constant for Ernesto Valverde’s side. Athletic Bilbao has 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in 6 La Liga games at San Mames, plus 3 wins in 3 games in the Europa League.
Eibar is sitting ont he 7th place in La Liga, just one point above today’s opponents and the visitors are in excellent form right now. Eibar is riding a 3 game winning streak in all competitions, but the problem for them this season has been their away form. Eibar has 3 losses and 2 draws in 6 matches played on the road in La Liga and they haven`t won away in Primera since 11 September. However, their recent 2-1 road win against Gijon in the Cup will give them confidence, as will the fact that they snatched a point against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu two months ago.
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Athletic Bilbao has serious problems ahead of this game. Not only do they miss the injured trio of Aketzke, Rico and Marcos, but their two best players and best goalscorers, Aduriz and Raul Garcia, are suspended. As for Eibar, they have a full squad to choose from.
Athletic Club: Arrizabalaga – Boveda, Laporte, Yeray, Balenziaga – Benat, Jose – Williams, Muniain, Lekue – Sabin
Eibar: Riesgo – Arbilla, Ramis, Lejeune, Luna – Rico, Garcia – Leon, Adrian, Inui – Enrich
These two teams have been very similar in terms of results and level of play this season and it`s no fluke that they are separated by just 1 point in the Primera Division table. What should make the difference here in normal circumstances is home court advantage, considering Bilbao’s excellent record at San Mames and Eibar’s struggles on the road.
However, this will be a very difficult game for Athletic Club to win. Not only is Eibar a very good team in great form, but the suspensions of Aduriz and Raul Garcia will badly hurt the hosts. These two players scored 10 of Athletic’s 16 La Liga goals this season, with nobody else scoring more than 1 goal! It`s safe to assume that Bilbao will have more difficulties than usual when it comes to scoring goals.
I believe that against a disciplined and organized team, Bilbao won`t be able to win without their two best (and pretty much only) goalscorers. I expect Bilbao to dominate possession, but they will have big problems breaking Eibar open and finishing off the few chances they will get. A draw seems very plausible here, given the fact that it`s unlikely Eibar can win on the road at San Mames due to the home / away record of these two sides.
I can see a draw, but I will secure my bet in case Bilbao finds a way to win the game. My tip is a draw on the Athletic Bilbao win no bet market. Prediction: Athletic Bilbao – Eibar 1-1.
Pick: Draw – Athletic Bilbao win no bet
Odds: 1.65 @ Bwin
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.20
Event date: 4 December
