Almeria – Ath Bilbao : Preview & Prediction
With just two wins in their last ten LaLiga Santander (LL) matches (G2, E2, P6), UD Almeria are in a relentless fight for relegation. At the start of the 30th matchday, the club from the Indian city maintains a three-point margin over relegation, which is set by Valencia with 27 points. The red-and-whites are a tough team to beat at the Power Horse Stadium, but Rubi’s side will host Athletic Club this Saturday, a real bête noire against whom they have lost eight of their last nine matches in LL. In the first round, Athletic mercilessly overwhelmed the Almeria side at San Mames (4-0).
It is not surprising that Almeria are on the verge of the red zone, being the only team that has not yet won away in the current championship. The Andalusian side have won each of their eight victories at home, the last of them by the minimum over a direct rival (2-1 vs Valencia). It remains to be seen whether Almeria can get back to winning ways at home, which will not be easy: in the eight LL matches played at the Power Horse Stadium in 2023, Almeria have not had two identical results.
Athletic, four points adrift of the European zone, are in a very different situation. Ernesto Valverde’s team has regained its reliability, taking 10 points from its last four games. Winners of the big derby against Real Sociedad last Saturday, Athletic have the chance to string together three league victories for the second time this season.
Athletic’s last run of three wins in LL dates back to September 2022, with the third of those victories coming against Almeria. Having won three of their five most recent outings in the championship (G3, E1, P1), the squad under Txingurri is a clear favorite to take the win, although they may need to score at least two goals to do so; Athletic have conceded exactly one goal in five of their previous seven away LL matches.
Players to watch: The contribution of Gonzalo Melero, who has scored two goals – both in second halves – in his last four appearances for Almeria, could be crucial to Almeria’s salvation. On Athletic’s side, Iñaki Williams is in a truly sweet moment; the eldest of the Williams brothers strings together three official games on goal, but has not scored in three consecutive league games since April 2019.
Standout stat: Athletic have scored in both halves of play in five away LL matches this season, the most on record so far in the league.
Almeria – Ath Bilbao : Betting Tips
Ath Bilbao – Win Odds: 2.25
