SM
Monday, December 23
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
AB
La Liga | Gameweek 26
Mar 7, 2021 at 8pm UK
San Mames
GL

Athletic Bilbao
2 - 1
Granada

Villalibre (3'), Berenguer (90+1')
Garcia (28'), Vencedor (68')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Molina (78')
Herrera (59'), Diaz (90+5')

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Granada - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Granada - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Granada, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Following their Copa del Rey semi-final triumph in the week, Athletic Bilbao will host Granada at the Estadio San Mames on Sunday in La Liga.

Three points for 10th-placed Athletic Club could see Marcelino's men leapfrog their opponents into eighth place.


Match preview

Athletic's strange season became even stranger this week after they reached their second Copa del Rey final in as many years.

The postponement of the 2020 final means Marcelino's side will now play two cup finals in the space of two weeks in April. In these unprecedented days, Athletic could essentially win La Copa twice without any fans present to see them do so.

With the team also winning the Spanish Super Cup earlier this season, much of Athletic's current success can be attributed to the arrival of boss Marcelino, who has turned the club's fortunes around in spectacular fashion.

But Athletic are far from a cup side. Marcelino has hauled the club up the division since his arrival and the team have been performing well in recent weeks.

Last time out in the league against Levante, Athletic managed to grind out a point in a 1-1 draw. Raul Garcia converted a penalty not long after the interval and Marcelino's men were unlucky not to win the game too.

In what has already been a successful season for Diego Martinez's Granada side, the Andalusian outfit could cement their top-tier La Liga credentials with three points against Athletic on Sunday.

Currently eighth in the league standings, a win for Granada could hoist them up into the upper echelons of the division where the fight for European football next season is really hotting up.

A rarely mentioned aspect of Granada's style of football is just how dependent Martinez's side are on the team's attacking players. Having conceded 42 goals so far this campaign, Granada have the worst defensive record in the division.

Against Elche in the league last time, Granada were in devastating form, beating Fran Escriba's side 2-1 at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W

Granada La Liga form:
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W

Granada form (all competitions):
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Marcelino has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of this weekend's La Liga action.

Absentees include midfielders Dani Garcia and Unai Lopez, who are both suspended for this tie.

In comparison, Granada are in the midst of a major injury crisis and Martinez will be without a host of first-team regulars for Sunday's encounter.

Yangel Herrera, Alberto Soro, Darwin Machis, Jesus Vallejo, Angel Montoro, German Sanchez, Carlos Neva and Maxime Gonalons are all currently out injured.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; de Marcos, Nunez, Alvarez, Berchiche; Alex Berenguer, Lopez, Vesga, Muniain; Williams, Garcia

Granada possible starting lineup:
Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Perez, Diaz; Herrera, Eteki, Kenedy, Quina, Puertas; Molina


We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Granada

Granada are one of those sides that will concede goals rain or shine, so do not expect Athletic Club to pull their punches. We think Athletic definitely have what it takes to leapfrog Granada this weekend. We are going with Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain for the scorers.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data



body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__437984 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 12:45:22:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 12:45:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Europa League roundup: Napoli knocked out but Man United, Arsenal through
Amorim points finger at Rashford's team over bombshell interview
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Heading the other way? Chelsea readying £49.8m bid for Milan 'revelation'

1

HT

Are Liverpool the most "complete" side in the Premier League?

2

AL

Amorim points finger at Rashford's team over bombshell interview

NEW

3

AP

Christmas nightmare: Frank reveals major Brentford injury blow

NEW

4

CN

The best ever? Why Mohamed Salah could be the Premier League's greatest player

5

TB

'Wills above clauses': What is the latest on Zubimendi to Liverpool?

6

'A

Exiled Chelsea star braced for transfer frustration as club 'receive no offers'

7

EC

Short and sweet: Van Dijk issues contract update after 'agreement'

8

SA

Hamstrung: Which Arsenal games will Saka miss through injury?

9

HW

Rock through to Worlds last 32, Clayton wins last-leg decider

10

RT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .