Athletic Club will be desperate to jump back into the win column this Friday night in La Liga when they meet with Cádiz after a terrible run of form in the Spanish top flight sees the home side down near the end of the top half of the table all of a sudden.
It did look for some time that Bilbao would be able to implement themselves into the top four battle in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Villarreal. Now, however, the club enter this game down in ninth having had a troublesome start to life in 2023.
🤜🤛 Working away at Lezama.2⃣ days until #AthleticCádiz #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/vELbtrlIoN— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) February 1, 2023
🤜🤛 Working away at Lezama.2⃣ days until #AthleticCádiz #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/vELbtrlIoN
On the other hand, despite a tough run of form in the league, Bilbao have secured a spot in the Copa del Rey once more after defeating Valencia 3-1.
Iker Miniain scored in the first half before Nico Williams netted just seconds into the second 45 after a Valencia equaliser. Mikel Vesga would seal the deal and make it 3-1 from the penalty spot just 20 minutes from time.
Bilbao will now battle with Osasuna over two legs in early March and it could end up being a time where both clubs get one-up on the other in terms of the race for Europe.
However, back in La Liga, Ernesto Valverde's men are winless since action resumed in the top flight after the World Cup. Worse yet, his side's only points picked up in Spain since the Qatar finals have been in a draw with Real Betis.
Last time out, Bilbao travelled to Celta Vigo and lost 1-0, and this came just one week on from losing to Real Madrid 2-0 back at San Mames. Real Sociedad also defeated them earlier in January, as the club went on to draw 0-0 with their semi-final Copa del Rey opposition, Osasuna.
This dreadful run of form and a run of four games without a win in La Liga means seven losses and five draws for Bilbao in the league and a further seven wins.
At the same time, they have scored only 25 goals from 19 games and let in 20 goals too - only Mallorca, Ray Vallecano and Osasuna have a worse goals difference in the top 10.
Valverde's side are now also eight points behind Atletico in fourth as a result, with Bilbao also behind Villarreal by five points.
Forebet predicts a win here for Bilbao and for the game to see under 2.5 goals.