Both Athletic Bilbao and Granada will be looking to return to winning ways when they face off in La Liga at San Mames on Friday night.
Bilbao find themselves eighth in the table – seven points outside the top four – after failing to win any of their previous four outings.
🔛 Preparations continue for #AthleticGranada⌛ Just three days until we're back at San Mamés 🏟️#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/VPyAtZgxz9— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) November 23, 2021
🔛 Preparations continue for #AthleticGranada⌛ Just three days until we're back at San Mamés 🏟️#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/VPyAtZgxz9
Meanwhile, Granada sit seventeenth – eight points behind Bilbao – having lost each of their last two matches.
Bilbao have lost just two of their 13 La Liga games this term. However, a league-high seven draws mean they have only managed to pick up four wins.
When you look at things from a different angle, Athletic Bilbao have lost just one of their previous seven La Liga games.
It is also worth pointing out that Bilbao currently boast the best defensive record in the Spanish top flight.
Not only have they conceded a measly eight goals this season, but they have also kept an impressive six clean sheets along the way.
As for Granada, they head into Friday’s clash on the back of successive defeats. After losing 2-0 to Espanyol, they were thrashed 4-1 by Real Madrid last weekend.
Granada have managed to win just two of their 13 La Liga games this season, recording five draws and six losses in the process.
They have also conceded a whopping 20 goals this term, meaning they have one of the worst defensive records in the division.
If Granada carry on the way they’re going, they could find themselves in a relegation battle come the business end of the campaign.
Head-to-head: Let’s not forget that Granada have won three of their previous four meetings with Bilbao across all competitions.
It is also worth noting that three of the last four meetings between the teams have dished up over 2.5 goals.
Team news: Bilbao will be without the injured Peru Nolaskoain (ankle), Yuri Berchiche (pubitis), Dani Vivian (hamstring) and Asier Villalibre (hamstring) on Friday.
On the flip side, Granada will travel to Bilboa without Neyder Lozano (head), Yan Eteki (muscle) and Luis Milla (knee).
There is no denying that both teams head into Friday’s clash in poor form. However, Bilbao should be too strong for Granada.
Forbet predicts that Athletic Bilbao will keep a clean sheet on their way to edging out Granada on home soil, although under 1.5 goals are expected.