Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview

Welcome to our Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca prediction, tips and best bets preview, looking ahead at Friday night in La Liga, where the hosts are strong favourites to continue their impressive home form. A win here will keep the pressure on the top four. Mallorca will provide a tough test, just like they usually do, they’re just four points above the dreaded drop.

Tom Winch has taken a closer look at the clash, he’s provided us with three betting tips, alongside plenty of stats and facts.

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Prediction and Tips Preview

1. Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 1: Athletic Bilbao -1 Asian Handicap
2. Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 2: Gorka Guruzeta AGS
3. Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 3: Draw/Athletic Bilbao (HT/FT)

In this article:

• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Team News
• The Predicted La Liga Table
• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Stats Preview
• How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca
• Safer Gambling

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 1: Bullish Bilbao

Spain, La Liga, Friday, February 2nd, 20:00 (UK)

Bilbao is an impressive side, especially when playing at Estadio San Mames, their home stadium. Ernesto Valverde’s men have collected 26 points from a possible 33 here this campaign, winning eight of 11 clashes, including each of the previous five.

Entertainment is rare when Mallorca is in action; just 2.05 goals are scored per 90 when Javier Aguirre’s men are involved. They’re not a side to give up and will always keep themselves in matches. Only Girona and Betis have beaten the island club by two or more goals this term.

Despite the visitor’s ability to stay in matches, they’ve scored just a single goal in their previous six away days. The hosts average 2.45 goals per game here and have a far superior squad. I expect Bilbao to score a couple of times here on Friday night, just like they’ve done so in 82% of matches when in front of the home support.

I’m taking Bilbao on the Asian Handicap; I expect them to put on another strong performance. Mallorca will have limited chances offensively and should come up short against a well-drilled team.

• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 1: Athletic Bilbao -1 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 2: Favourite Venue

Gorka Guruzeta should be expected to lead the line for Bilbao in this encounter; Valverde made several changes in their previous clash against Cadiz, which ended goalless.

The 27-year-old has scored eight times for his side this term across La Liga, seven of whom have arrived at this venue. Gorka bagged the opener against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey here earlier this month. It’s clear that he enjoys playing at Estadio San Mames.

There’s a possibility that our man may be on penalty duties for his side, which, of course, is always a bonus. Oihan Sancet is the other option from the spot, although the pair has missed the previous two penalty kicks, so it’s not exactly clear who will take the next one.

Guruzeta has scored in six separate starts from ten at this stadium, a fine return from the number 12. He’s the club’s leading scorer and should have several chances to score once again here.
Gorka is averaging 2.66 shots per 90, with an average of 1.27 shots on target. It’s an impressive 0.52xG for the forward, which, of course, is considerably higher when playing at home.

• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 2: Gorka Guruzeta AGS (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 3: Slowly But Surely

With Mallorca being a side that is often involved in low-scoring affairs, I’m taking a punt at a larger-priced selection. When Javier Aguirre’s men visited Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sociedad, this bet won on each occasion.

The away side has gone into the half-time interval on level terms in seven matches from 11 this term. If we exclude the crazy clash with Girona, just seven goals have been scored in the opening 45 minutes in ten matches involving Mallorca.

Four of Bilbao’s 11 first halves here have ended level. The reverse fixture in September ended goalless. Four of the previous five meetings ended level after the opening 45 minutes.

I do expect the hosts to make a breakthrough in this clash, which may well come after the break. Bilbao has scored in the second half on nine separate occasions; only Real Madrid and Sociedad stopped them from doing so. Those two clubs are far superior to this Mallorca side.

The price on offer is appealing, with the selection winning in a combined eight matches from 22 this term.

• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Tip 3: Draw/Athletic Bilbao (HT/FT) (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 4.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:30, January 29th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Team News Preview: Majority Available

There are limited absentees from both clubs at the time of writing. Alex Berenguer and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are both doubts for the hosts. 26-year-old Pablo Maffeo will miss this clash. The talented full-back has a knee injury and will not play for Mallorca until the middle of March at the earliest.

Bilbao expected to resort to their strongest side after Ernesto Valverde made several changes over the weekend. The William brothers are expected to start on either flank, with Gorka Guruzeta leading the attack.

Mallorca will continue with their usual back five, will look to keep things tight and keep themselves in the game. Vedat Muriqi may start for the first time since his injury.

The Predicted La Liga Table by BETSiE

Our in-house predictive model, BETSiE, has had a go at predicting the La Liga table by using the plethora of underlying data from the 2023/24 season up until this point.

For more league-specific BETSiE content, visit her page here – it’s worth it.

TABLE

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Stats Preview: Visitors Usually Struggle

• Four of the previous five La Liga meetings have been draws at halftime.
• The away side hasn’t won in a meeting between these two since 2012.
• Mallorca have managed just three shots on target in their three most recent visits here.
• Only Cadiz and Rayo Vallecano have scored fewer goals than Mallorca this term.
• Only Girona have scored a greater amount of goals at home than Bilbao.
• Abdon Prats is Mallorca’s leading scorer with five.

How To Watch

• Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca, La Liga.
• Date and Time: Friday, February 2nd, 20:00 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Viaplay

SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.