Elche welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Sunday. The hosts are looking to extend their solid home record while the Basque club are aiming to build on a win last time out.
Elche are enjoying a fine start to the season as they are currently challenging in the top half of the table. They have been beaten only once in eight La Liga matches so far, with their only defeat coming just before the international break, losing 3-1 at Alaves.
Home form has been pivotal for Elche, who are yet to be beaten in front of their fans so far. Eder Sarabia's men have won their last three matches at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, beating Celta Vigo 2-1 in their previous fixture on home soil.
Athletic Bilbao picked up a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca last time out in La Liga, with Inaki Williams and Alejandro Rego getting the goals. That was a vital result for the Basque club, who had been winless in the previous seven matches in all competitions, suffering six defeats on this run.
Manager Ernesto Valverde will be keen to use that result to jumpstart their season. However, they head into Sunday's clash with a poor record on their travels, having lost their last three away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Bilbao with the edge
Athletic Bilbao are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 21/20 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Elche is valued at 12/5 while a draw is set at odds of 9/4.
Head to head: Bilbao on top
Athletic Bilbao have a 4-2 advantage, with five draws from 11 previous matches against Elche. However, the hosts claimed a 1-0 away victory in the last meeting back in May and are also unbeaten in three of the last four home clashes.
Players to watch: Eyes on Silva
Andre Silva has caught the eye for Elche this season, with four goals in seven La Liga matches. The striker will be the one to watch on Sunday (Andre Silva anytime goalscorer – priced at 10/3 with BoyleSports).
Athletic Bilbao have spread their goals across the team, with Maroan Sannadi often leading the line for the visitors. The forward has one goal this season and will be keen to go on a scoring run (Maroan Sannadi anytime goalscorer – valued at odds of 5/2).
Probable line-ups:
Elche are likely to be without Hector Fort, Grady Diangana, and Adria Pedrosa, who are all nursing injuries. David Affengruber is also suspended following a red card last time out, but Andre Silva could earn a start after coming off the bench in the defeat to Alaves.
Athletic Bilbao have injury problems at the moment with key players like Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer all likely to miss Sunday's clash. However, Nico Williams made his return in the win over Mallorca and could earn a start, while Dani Vivian is set to continue at the back.
Elche: Pena, Chust, Bigas, Diaby, Valera, Aguado, Febas, Neto, Nunez, Mir, Silva.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Areso, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Serrano, Guruzeta, Navarro, Sannadi.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in five of Elche's last six matches (BTTS YES – offered at 20/21 with BoyleSports). Four fixtures on this run have produced over 2.5 goals – available at odds of 5/4.
Elche have scored first in their last three home matches (Elche to score first – set at odds of 6/4). The hosts have won their last three home matches and are unbeaten in three of the last four home fixtures against Athletic Bilbao (Elche double chance – priced at 7/10).
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