The final fixture from the latest round of La Liga action will see Athletic Bilbao entertain Espanyol on Monday night.
The hosts will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 2–0 defeat away at Celta Vigo, though they did grind out a narrow 1-0 win at Ourense in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.
Last week's loss left Ernesto Valverde’s side sitting seventh in the table, 11 points adrift of the top four. The Basque club can expect another stern test when they welcome Espanyol to the San Mames on Monday night.
The visitors will come into this clash in confident mood after extending their winning streak in La Liga to four matches with a 1–0 success away at Getafe last weekend.
As a result of that victory, Manolo Gonzalez’s men find themselves up in fifth place in the standings.
How the bookies view it: Hosts heavy favourites
Despite losing five of their last eight La Liga matches, Athletic Bilbao have been priced up as odds-on 4/5 favourites with bet365.
High-flying Espanyol are as big as 15/4 with bet365 to emerge from this contest victorious, while the draw is an unfancied 5/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: Espanyol have the edge
The head-to-head record between Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol is tight, though Espanyol lead overall (19-16 with 18 draws).
However, it is worth noting that Athletic Bilbao ran out 4-1 winners in last season’s corresponding fixture. The same scoreline on Monday night pays a whopping 40/1 at Betfred.
Players to watch: Nico to notch?
Athletic Bilbao will look to Nico Williams for inspiration on Monday night. The Lions’ talisman is available at an eye-catching 11/10 with bet365 to score or to provide an assist.
Having been booked in three of his previous seven La Liga outings, Espanyol's Pol Lozano looks like a prime candidate to pick up a card during this contest at 13/8 with PaddyPower.
Predicted line-ups
A combination of injuries and suspensions mean Athletic Bilbao will be unable to call upon the services of Aymeric Laporte, Benat Prados, Dani Vivian, Maroan Sannadi, Unai Egiluz, Yeray Alvarez and Yuri Berchiche on Monday night.
As for the visitors, they will be without Charles Pickel, Javi Puado, Ramon Terrats and Tyrhys Dolan for Monday night's visit to the Basque Country.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Areso, Vesga, Paredes, Boiro, Galarreta, Jauregizar, Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams, Guruzeta
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero, Jofre, Gonzalez, Exposito, Milla, Roberto, Garcia
Anything else catch the eye?
Currently enjoying a four-game winning run, Espanyol offer excellent value at 4/5 with bet365 with a +0.75 start on the Asian Handicap.
This selection means that a draw or a win for the visitors would secure a full pay-out, while an Athletic Bilbao victory by a one-goal margin would see you lose half of your stake.
Alternatively, backing BTTS No holds appeal at 4/5 with bet365 – a bet that has landed in 21 of the pair’s combined 33 La Liga matches this season.
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