Athletic Bilbao is playing its first match in the new LaLiga campaign against Sevilla at San Mames.
Facts
- Just eleven matches between the two teams have ended in a draw out of 81 encounters at Athletic Bilbao's home ground (51-11-19).
Betting Tip: Athletic Bilbao – Sevilla
Bilbao is keeping up the same successful recipe at home, with dominant performances. They will be the ones having the initiative in the game against Sevilla, in a game where Matias Almeyda will be leading his team for the first time, albeit with several injury problems plaguing the side. Bilbao to win is offered at 1.61.
- Recommendation: Athletic Bilbao Win
- Odds: 1.61 (at the time of writing)
Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao had been a model of continuity and consistency throughout last season, finishing 4th in La Liga for the first time in 11 years, securing a spot in next season’s Champions League. The Basque side was so consistent that they managed to run the second-best streak of their history, going 16 games unbeaten (9-7-0).
Manager Valverde has produced excellent work, and that got him a new contract for yet another season, primed to continue his historic run at the helm of the club.
The team has relied consistently on their very strong home advantage. They only lost twice last season, to champions Barcelona and to Atletico Madrid (11-6-2). Even more importantly, they were able to retain their biggest star, winger Nico Williams, who attracted significant interest from Barcelona.
As expected, due to the restrictive transfer policy held by the team (only Basque players are allowed to join the team), Bilbao added just two players, defender Areso and winger Robert Navarro. Rumour has it that Basque defender Aymeric Laporte is a target for a comeback, and he would be needed, judging by the 3-0 preseason defeat to Arsenal on August 9.
Defender Egiluz is serving a suspension and will not be available, while midfielders Unai Gomez and Benat Prados, alongside forward Sancet, will also be unavailable due to injury. Defender Yeray is not part of the team at this point, due to his involvement in a doping scandal.
Sevilla
Sevilla flew a bit too close to the sun last season but ended up avoiding catastrophe. They collected a paltry five points in their last 11 games (1-2-8) but were able to finish in 17th place, just above the relegation zone.
Experienced manager and fan favourite Joaquin Caparros succeeded sacked manager Garcia Pimienta in mid-April, but he is no longer at the helm. The position went to Matias Almeyda, who moved from AEK Athens to Seville for what is certainly the biggest challenge of his career.
The Argentine spent a season as a Seville player during his playing days, and he is now somewhat of a peacemaker between the fans and the board, who are in intense conflict.
Antonio Cordon is the new Director of Football, and together with Almeyda, they are hoping to lead the club to a new and more successful period. Still, transfer reinforcements have been limited, as only goalkeeper Vlachodimos, winger Alfon Gonzalez, and defenders Gabriel Suazo and Gattoni have joined the club.
At the same time, the squad has been trimmed with veteran midfielders Suso and Saul departing, while centre back Bade is expected to join Leverkusen, and midfielder Juan is heading to Napoli.
Good performances in the preseason friendlies are promising, but the team is already over the salary cap and only has 12 registered first-team players.
In case there are more departures, that will allow the team to register some of the newcomers. Several injuries are troubling Almeyda, such as Ramon Martinez (defender), Bade (defender), Jordan (midfielder), Muzambo (midfielder), Ejuke (winger), and Ruben Vargas (winger).
