Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol: Clash at San Mamés, 35 Unbeaten in 40 Home Games vs. 4 Clean Sheets in 10 Away Games

In the La Liga Round 18, Athletic Bilbao hosts Espanyol at San Mamés Barria on December 22. 7th-placed Bilbao (22 points) and 5th-placed Espanyol (26 points). Bilbao is strong at home but has been sluggish recently, while Espanyol is stable away from home.

Espanyol (5th)

• ●17 Games: 7 Wins 5 Draws 5 Losses
• ●Goals For/Against: 20 Goals 16 Goals
• ●Goal Difference: +4
• ●Points: 26 Points
• ●Average Per Game: 1.25 Goals / 0.94 Goals

Athletic Bilbao (7th)

• ●17 Games: 6 Wins 4 Draws 7 Losses
• ●Goals For/Against: 15 Goals 22 Goals
• ●Goal Difference: -7
• ●Points: 22 Points
• ●Average Per Game: 0.88 Goals / 1.29 Goals

Espanyol is ahead in both scoring and defense.

Athletic Bilbao's Mixed Form

They have recorded 2 wins 2 draws and 2 losses in the last 6 games. They only scored 0.5 goals per game and conceded 0.83 goals. Their scoring is really lacking.

Possession: 42% Shots on Target: 3 (Low)

Home Last 3 Games:

• ●1 Win 2 Draws
• ●Average Per Game: 0.33 Goals / 1 Goal

Long-Term Home Record:

• ●Recent 40 Home League Games: 35 Unbeaten Games (88%)

But:

• ●Recent 20 Games Overall: 11 Losses (55%)
• ●Recent 7 League Games: 3 Games Lost by 2 or More Goals

Home Against Espanyol:

• ●Recent 5 Games: 4 Wins 1 Loss

Espanyol's Away Stability

They have recorded 4 wins and 2 losses in the last 6 games. They scored 0.83 goals per game and conceded only 0.67 goals. Their defense is solid.

Away Average:

• ●Possession: 45%

Long-Term Record:

• ●Recent 12 Games: 58% Win Rate (7 Wins)
• ●Recent 20 League Games: 50% Win Rate (10 Wins)
• ●Recent 10 Away Games: 4 Clean Sheets (40%)

Recent 5 Games at San Mamés:

• ●4 Wins 1 Loss (Bilbao Standard)

Bilbao has dominated Espanyol at home.

Athletic Bilbao's 4-2-3-1

The team under coach Ernesto Valverde is struggling with scoring lately. Guruzeta is struggling up front, but only scores 0.5 goals per game.

Jauregizar and Rego guard the midfield, and Vivian and Paredes lead the defense. They only have 3 shots on target.

Espanyol's 4-2-3-1

The team under coach Manuel Gonzalez is stable away from home. Roberto Fernandez is responsible for finishing at the forefront, and Dolan and Milla attack from the sides.

González and Lozano control the midfield, and Calero and Cabrera lead the defense. Their defense, which concedes 0.67 goals per game in the last 6 games, is a weapon.

1. Bilbao's Lack of Scoring

They have only scored 0.5 goals per game in the last 6 games. The last 3 home games have been 0.33 goals. It will be really difficult to break through Espanyol's solid defense.

2. Espanyol's Away Stability

They have won 7 of their last 12 games. They have recorded 4 clean sheets in 10 away games. Can they get points even at Bilbao's home?

3. Past Record vs. Current Form

Bilbao has won 4 of their last 5 home games against Espanyol, but Espanyol is in much better form now.

analysis Probability:

• ●Espanyol Win: 41%
• ●Predicted Score: 1-0

The algorithm predicts a narrow victory for Espanyol. Recent form and defense are decisive factors. However, the probability is low due to Bilbao's home record (35 unbeaten in 40 games). A low-scoring game is expected.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Unai Simón
• ●DF: Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue
• ●MF: Jauregizar, Rego
• ●AM: Berenguer, Sancet, Nico Williams
• ●FW: Guruzeta

Espanyol (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Dmitrovic
• ●DF: El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero
• ●MF: González, Lozano
• ●AM: Dolan, Expósito, Milla
• ●FW: Roberto Fernández

A really interesting match is expected. Bilbao is unbeaten in 35 of their 40 home games, but Espanyol is in much better form recently. It will be a low-scoring game.

The predicted score is 1-0 Espanyol win. This is a scenario where Espanyol survives with a solid defense and decides the game with one goal. Considering Bilbao's weak scoring ability (0.5 goals per game), it is possible.

Bilbao is really in crisis. They have only scored 0.5 goals per game in the last 6 games. The last 3 home games have been 0.33 goals. They only have 3 shots on target. It will be really difficult to break through Espanyol's defense.

Espanyol is in really good form recently. They have won 7 of their last 12 games, and their defense is solid (0.67 goals conceded per game). They can get points even at Bilbao's home.

The past record is in favor of Bilbao, but the current form is completely opposite. Espanyol is in the upper ranks in 5th place, and Bilbao is sluggish in 7th place.

A low-scoring game is expected. Bilbao scores 0.5 goals per game, and Espanyol scores 0.83 goals per game. Both are lacking in scoring.

Goal difference is also important. Espanyol is +4 and Bilbao is -7. The overall power difference is clear.

If Espanyol wins, they can solidify 5th place and aim to qualify for European competitions. Bilbao must earn points even at home to maintain the mid-table.