On Thursday night Athletic Club welcome Real Betis to San Mames, as the home side looks to cement their place in La Liga’s top-six.
Athletic have hit form of late and are currently sixth in the Spanish top-flight table. Their current league position would gain the Basque side entry into the Europa League next season. Ernesto Valverde’s side are one point clear of seventh-place Real Sociedad while trailing fifth-place Villarreal by four points.
The home side have won four of their last five outings in the Spanish top-flight to put themselves back in contention for a European place. The team from Bilbao’s home form has been very strong of late, recording six victories in their last seven La Liga games at San Mames.
The only blip in that home run was against league leaders Real Madrid. In fact, the only two opposition teams to win at San Mames in La Liga in the last 18 games have been Spain’s ‘big two’. Part of their good home record is their effectiveness in front of goal, as Athletic have scored at least twice in six of their last eight La Liga games on home soil.
Athletic also have a good recent record against the visitors. Valverde’s team have won four of the previous five meetings between the two teams. However, a run of four straight wins came to an end in the reverse fixture earlier this season with a defeat.
Real Betis are currently 15th in La Liga but are 13 points clear of the relegation zone. With their top-flight status assured for next season, the visitors have little left to play for this season.
However, the visitors have not appeared to lack motivation in recent games, having recorded consecutive league wins over Eibar and Celta Vigo. A trip to San Mames is a whole different matter, though, and the home side look likely to end the visitors winning run.