Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Betting Preview

There’s an intriguing race for a top four finish in La Liga and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Athletic Bilbao’s impressive recent form in the league has kept them in 4th spot, six points clear of Villarreal, and they are now looking to leapfrog Barcelona in 3rd place if they are to slip up at home to Valencia.

Leganes have continued to produce eye-catching results against some of the best teams in the league, backing up their 1-0 win against Barcelona by producing the same result against Atletico Madrid last weekend.

Can they do it again on Sunday? Read what Nathan has to say.

Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Prediction: Don’t underestimate the visitors

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, January 26th, 17:30 (UK)

Athletic Bilbao have the third best home form in the league, where they have won 21 points from 10 matches. Only the two Madrid’s have picked up more points. And this is a reason why they are sitting comfortably in the top four after 20 matches, with a Champions League spot firmly in their sights for next season.

Top goalscorer and forward Oihan Sancet has been a big part of that, but the 24-year-old is currently out injured. Bilbao have only won one of those matches inside 90 minutes, losing two of those, and it’s clear they’ve lost their flow without him leading the line.

Still, Alex Berenguer has stepped up in his absence, who returned to the scoresheet last weekend against Celta Vigo for the first time since December last year. The two Williams brothers either side of him remain a constant threat, but goals have been an issue, with just four goals between them from their last 20 matches combined.

Yet despite having a recognised “out-and-out” goalscorer, Bilbao have scored in all their home matches this season bar one – not surprising that was against Atletico Madrid, the lowest conceders in the league.

And although Bilbao have only conceded seven in front of their own fans, their opponents are continuously underestimated in the market to find the back of the net.

Leganes head into this fixture full of confidence. Not only are they unbeaten in their last four matches, they arrive in the Basque Country having just defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0.

In mid-December, they beat Barcelona 1-0 in their own temporary backyard, and have scored in their last five matches – including two goals or more in three of those. Both of their winning goals against the Spanish giants came from set pieces, so keep an eye on Serbian centre-back Matija Nastasic and Spaniard Sergio Gonzalez from corners.

The visitors aren’t restricted to just scoring in the air, and although they’ve conceded 14 on the road this season, they have also scored 10 in 10 matches. Confidence is creeping into their game, and their set up of five at the back is there to frustrate opponents and catch them on the break or from corners/free-kicks.

Head coach Borja Jimenez deserves a great deal of credit for how he has his team operating this season, and the fact both teams to score is priced as big as 2.625, it’s definitely worth chancing with a 0.5 unit stake.

• Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Prediction: BTTS Yes
• Best Odds: 2.625
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, January 22nd, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Athletic Bilbao vs Leganes Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

As mentioned, Bilbao’s forward Oihan Sancet is currently sidelined, and so it will be Berenguer filling in once again. The Spaniard will be hoping he can score for the second week in a row and add to his five La Liga goals this campaign.

Leganes have no absences to worry about heading into this fixture. Second choice goalkeeper Juan Soriano will, however, be back on the bench after serving his suspension for receiving a red card against Espanyol. The 27-year-old was sent off from the bench for some strong words aimed at the referee in their 1-1 draw.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Boiro, Alvarez, Vivian, Gorosabel, Prados Diaz, de Galarreta, Williams, Gomez, Williams, Berenguer

Leganes possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Hernandez, Nastasic, Gonzalez Poirrer, Tapia, Rosier, Cruz, Neyou, Cisse, Raba, de la Fuente

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