Athletic Bilbao host Villarreal on Saturday evening at San Mames as the two midtable teams seek three points.
The Lions are ninth in the league table with 13 points from 24 points on offer. Athletic Bilbao have taken four points from their last six on offer in the league going into the fixture on Saturday.
Pure class from @pablofornals 🎩.#AthleticVillarreal pic.twitter.com/yAyfdotG9u— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) October 22, 2021
Pure class from @pablofornals 🎩.#AthleticVillarreal pic.twitter.com/yAyfdotG9u
Villarreal are two points behind Athletic Bilbao in the league table going into the match. Villarreal have taken 11 points from 24 on offer this season and are coming off of a 2-1 home loss to Osasuna.
The Yellow Submarine have won just two of eight games in La Liga this season. The team has drawn five of its eight games in La Liga, which is the most of any team in the division this season.
Athletic Bilbao have drawn four of their eight fixtures this season with four. Marcelino’s team is unbeaten in five of their last six matches in La Liga scoring six times and conceding three goals. They are unbeaten in five straight games against Villarreal in all competitions.
However, just one of those matches finished with a win. Four of the teams’ last five fixtures finished as draws. Last season’s games both ended in stalemates with identical 1-1 scores. Villarreal have drawn three of their last six games.
Saturday’s game is likely to be a repeat of last season’s 1-1 stalemates between Athletic Bilbao. Neither team is scoring many goals, which means there could be a low total of goals at full-time.
Marcelino could be without up to three players. Forward Asier Villalibre has a hamstring strain and is likely to miss the game. Defender Aitor Paredes is a doubt for the game due to injury. Midfielder Peru Nolaskoain has an ankle injury and is a doubt.
Unai Emery has two players in the Villarreal treatment room. Defender Raul Albiol has a concussion and is a doubt to play. Forward Boulaye Dia has a knee injury and is a doubt for the game as well.
Four of the last five games between Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal finished as draws. Three of those four matches between the clubs finished 1-1. On Saturday, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal should play out another low-scoring match that finishes in a draw.
Both clubs are solid midtable La Liga teams. Villarreal have their sights on the Champions League which is close at the moment. With five draws from eight games in the league this season, a sixth draw will come at San Mames.