Athletic Bilbao vs Elche betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

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The last four meetings between these two have produced just five goals, including a goalless draw in Elx in August. Athletic Club have lost just four of 17 home matches in all competitions this season. 

Under 2.5 goals is 4/5.

Athletic Club to win and both teams to score NO is 6/5.

Iñaki Williams is 10/3 to break the deadlock and 21/20 to score anytime.

Match preview

Athletic Club v Getafe – La Liga BILBAO, SPAIN – AUGUST 20: Iker Muniain of Athletic Club reacts during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Getafe at at San Mames Stadium on August 20, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Can Athletic Club make a late charge up the table and gatecrash the European places?

Last time out, the Lions could only draw 1-1 with Getafe at home, courtesy of Yuri Berchiche’s equaliser.

In the last 12 months, Athletic have been an amazing cup side, lifting last year’s Supercopa de España before reaching this season’s final.

Also, they appeared in a pair of Copa del Rey Finals last April before going out to Valencia in the Copa semi-finals last month.

Despite this, they still haven’t played in UEFA competition since 2017/18 and that needs to change and soon.

Elche meanwhile start the weekend 14th in the table and would be delighted if they finished anywhere near that position.

Francisco’s side lost 1-0 to Valencia a fortnight ago but, before this, had won five of their first ten matches in 2022.

Victories over Espanyol, Villarreal, Alavés, Rayo and Granada saw los Franjiverdes surge away from danger to they’re currently position which is six clear of the bottom three.

Thus, it won’t be easy but Athletic Club should still win at San Mamés.

Athletic Bilbao team news

Espanyol V Athletic Bilbao BARCELONA, SPAIN – January 25: Unai Núñez #3 of Athletic Bilbao in action during the Espanyol V Athletic Bilbao, La Liga regular season match at RCDE Stadium on January 25th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Athletic are a bit short of centre-backs with Yeray Álvarez suspended, due to yellow card accumulation, while Iñigo Martínez is injured.

So Dani Vivian, who scored a bullet header in the recent Basque Derby, is likely to be partnered by Unai Núñez.

Up front, Iñaki Williams will continue to lead the line having now feature in 224 successive La Liga games.

Elche team news

Elche CF v Athletic Club – La Liga Santander ELCHE, SPAIN – MAY 22: Lucas Boye of Elche CF celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the La Liga Santander match between Elche CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Martinez Valero on May 22, 2021 in Elche, Spain. A limited number of fans will be allowed into the stadium. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Johan Mojica was sent off in Elche’s defeat to Valencia so is suspended, meaning Lucas Olaza is likely to come in at left-back.

Lucas Boyé will remain their main goal threat, partnered by Ezequiel Ponce who’ll continue to get the nod over Guido Carrillo.

La Liga table:

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