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Monday night football in Spain will see Athletic Bilbao trying to secure their 4th place in the standings when they host an in-form Malaga side at San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao did not play especially well in the last few weeks, but they managed to mantain a safe distance ahead of the 5th place due to the inability of teams like Sociedad, Villareal or Valencia to win games. However, Bilbao still has it all to do if they are to get that last Champions League spot and will hope to win second games in a row for the first time since February when they play host to a mid-table Malaga team. The hosts got a very important 2-1 win last round at Levante (only their second in the last 6 games) and will look to back that up today. Bilbao has a 11-3-2 record at home this season, one of the best in La Liga.
It`s safe to say that Malaga (11th place) has no more relegation worries, there are just too many teams in the standings between them and the relegation zone. The visitors basically saved themselves in the last 4 rounds by winning 3 of those games, last time 4-1 at home over Granada last weekend. Malaga showed some great form in front of goal lately and also played very well on the road, winning the last 3 away games in La Liga.
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Team news & lineups
Athletic Bilbao will have to do without Gomez, Sola, Gurpegi and Rico, while Benat is questionable. Malaga has Weligton doubtful, while Ferreira, Duda and Tissone are 100% out for this game.
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga – Moran, Iturraspe – Susaita, Ander, Muniain – Aduriz
Malaga: Caballero – Gamez, Angeleri, Weligton, Antunes – Camacho, Darder – Amrabat, Perez, Samuel – Cruz
Malaga is playing very well lately while Bilbao looks to have some problems, but I am still rating Bilbao to win as the best bet here. Form is very important in betting, but in certain cases it’s relative, and I think this is one of those cases. We saw mid-table teams in Spain losing a lot of games lately and I think after the recent excellent streak which virtually saved them from relegation, Malaga will be a little bit more relaxed today. Bilbao on the other hand is desperate for points, as the 4th spot (and Champions League football) would be a huge achievement for the basque side. I’m trusting Bilbao to win this at home in front of an electric crowd and a performance similar to the one at Levante last round should be enough to get them the three points.. My tip is Athletic Bilbao to win. Prediction: Athletic Bilbao – Malaga 2-0.
Pick: Athletic Bilbao
Odds: 1.50 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 4
Event date: 14 April
