Levante vs Athletic Bilbao
La Liga. Kick-off: 8pm, Monday 3rd December. Live on Eleven Sports
IT has been a while since Athletic Bilbao last faced a major sweat against the drop but the Basque giants are feeling the heat this season.
A final-day 2-0 win over Levante saved Bilbao's skin when they dodged relegation by a single point back in 2007.
Now Athletic will be hoping a victory over the same opponents can give them the three points they so desperately need to get this campaign going.
Bilbao, who have never been relegated from La Liga, haven't won in the league since the opening day of the season.
But they have lost just four times and it's a chronic run of draws, the last coming at home to Getafe last weekend, that has them sitting in the drop zone.
Many punters will be tempted to back another stalemate here at 23/10 with 888 Sport although Levante are slight 33/20 favourites with Athletic Bilbao 8/5.
After going on a four-game winning run, Levante have now gone four matches without a win so it's two sides in pretty grim form.
But Athletic boosted their fragile confidence by rattling four past Huesca in the Copa Del Rey in midweek. So I've a hunch they may just edge it, especially as Levante could only draw 2-2 with Huesca in their last game.
Evergreen Aritz Aduriz netted twice in Bilbao's cup victory and it should earn him a starting slot against Levante.
The veteran is 5/1 to score first with 888 Sport and 37/20 to net at any time, which looks like a safer bet as he might be called on from the bench.
I thought Iker Muniain would celebrate his new contract with a goal last weekend only for him to disappoint but the livewire is always a threat and looks good value at 11/4 for anytime scorer with 888 Sport.
Roger Marti Salvador looks Levante's best bet for a goal after netting in that draw with Huesca. He's 5/1 to break the deadlock and 15/8 for anytime scorer.
With so much at stake there could be a lot of yellow cards so go for over 5.5 at 4/5 with 888 Sport.
Recommended Bets
- Athletic Bilbao to win 8/5 (888 Sport)
- Iker Muniain anytime scorer 11/4 (888 Sport)
- Over 5.5 yellow cards (888 Sport)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
