Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Prediction and Betting Tips | 8th December 2024

The 2024-25 edition of La Liga is back in action with another set of matches this weekend as Villarreal take on Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao side in an important encounter at the San Mames on Sunday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will want to win this game.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Preview

Villarreal are in fifth place in the La Liga standings and have stepped up to the plate this season. The Yellow Submarines slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey in their previous game and will need to bounce back this weekend.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the league table at the moment and have been in impressive form this year. The Basque giants stunned Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory last week and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

Villarreal have a good recent record against Athletic Bilbao and have won 18 out of the last 50 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Athletic Bilbao's 16 victories.
Athletic Bilbao have lost only one of their last 12 matches at home against Villarreal in La Liga, with their only such defeat during this period coming by a 3-0 scoreline in September 2018.
Since the 2013-14 season, Villarreal have played out draws in nine of their 22 matches against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and have managed to win only five of these games.
After a run of five defeats in six matches away from home against teams from the Basque country in La Liga, Villarreal have managed to find the back of the net in each of their last three such games.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Prediction

Athletic Bilbao have punched above their weight so far this season and have thrived under Ernesto Valverde. Los Leones put on a robust display against Real Madrid this week and will look to sustain their impressive run this weekend.

Villarreal have also been impressive this season but will be up against a formidable unit on Sunday. Athletic Bilbao are the better team at the moment and hold the upper hand going into this game.

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Villarreal

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Athletic Bilbao to win

Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes

Tip 3: Villarreal to score first - Yes