Athletic Bilbao welcome Getafe to the Estadio San Mames for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Saturday. The hosts are aiming to maintain their recent upturn in form, while the visitors have been below their best lately.
After a run of six defeats in seven matches in all competitions, things are beginning to look up for Athletic Bilbao. They are unbeaten in their last three matches and played out a 0-0 draw at Elche in their previous La Liga fixture.
Home form is usually pivotal for Athletic Bilbao, and they have won their last two matches at San Mames. Ernesto Valverde's men will head into Saturday's clash off the back of a 3-1 home victory over Qarabag in a midweek UEFA Champions League clash.
In contrast to Athletic Bilbao's fine form, things are tough for Getafe at the moment, having failed to win six of their last seven matches. Jose Bordalas' men have been beaten four times on this run, including a 1-0 home defeat to Real Madrid last time out.
Things appear even worse on the road for Getafe, who have lost their last three away matches. Among their results on this run is a 3-0 thrashing at champions Barcelona.
How the bookies view it: Bilbao overwhelming favourites
Athletic Bilbao have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 8/13 by BOYLE Sports. An unlikely victory for Getafe is valued at 5/1, while a draw is offered at 12/5.
Head to head: Bilbao on top
Athletic Bilbao have a 7-2 advantage, with 11 draws in the last 20 matches against Getafe. The hosts were unbeaten last season, playing a 1-1 home draw in the first meeting before a 2-0 away victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Guruzeta in hot form
Gorka Guruzeta is coming off a brace in the Champions League and will be the one to watch for Athletic Bilbao. The forward will be keen to carry that form into La Liga (Gorka Guruzeta anytime goalscorer – valued at 15/8 by BOYLE Sports).
Getafe have some attacking quality of their own and will look to Borja Mayoral to provide the spark going forward. The striker will be keen to add to his two La Liga goals this season (Borja Mayoral anytime goalscorer – available at 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Inaki Williams picked up an injury in midweek and is doubtful for Athletic Bilbao while Unai Egiluz remains sidelined. Alex Berenguer could earn a start after coming off the bench in the Champions League, while Guruzeta should lead the line once again.
Getafe will be without Allan Nyom and Alex Sancris after both men got sent off in the defeat to Real Madrid. Mayoral was an unused substitute last time out and could earn a start on Saturday, while Domingos Duarte is set to feature at the back.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche, Jauregizar, Rego, Berenguer, Sancet, Williams, Guruzeta.
Getafe: Soria, Iglesias, Duarte, Djene, Rico, Femenia, Milla, Arambari, Iglesias, Martin, Mayoral.
Anything else catch the eye?
Athletic Bilbao have scored over 1.5 goals in their last two home matches (Athletic Bilbao over 1.5 goals – priced at 7/10 on BOYLE Sports). There have been goals in each half in three of the home team's last four matches (Goal in each half – set at odds of 5/4).
Both teams have scored in four of Athletic Bilbao's last five home matches against Getafe (BTTS YES – valued at 6/4).
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