Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

San Mamés hosts a high-profile La Liga meeting on Sunday evening as Athletic Bilbao face Real Betis.

Filmogaz.com offers an Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview ahead of the game.

Standings and season context

Athletic sit 10th in the table with 35 points from 28 matches.

The Basque club have ten wins, five draws and 13 defeats this term. They trail sixth-placed Celta Vigo by six points.

Real Betis occupy fifth place with 44 points after 28 games.

Betis have eleven wins, 11 draws and six losses. They sit three points clear of Celta and 11 adrift of fourth-placed Villarreal.

Recent form and European action

Athletic arrive on the back of consecutive league defeats to Barcelona and Girona.

The side have lost three straight in all competitions, including the Copa del Rey semi second leg on March 4.

Real Betis progressed in the Europa League after a 4-0 second-leg victory over Panathinaikos.

The aggregate score was 4-1, sending Betis into the quarter-finals against Braga.

Managerial news

Ernesto Valverde confirmed he will leave Athletic at the end of the season.

Andoni Iraola has emerged as an early frontrunner for the Athletic job.

Iraola is out of contract at Bournemouth this summer. He represented Athletic between 2003 and 2015 and finished his playing career at New York City FC.

Team News

Athletic face a lengthy absence list ahead of the match.

• Maroan Sannadi is unavailable.
• Aitor Paredes is sidelined.
• Unai Gomez, Nico Williams, Unai Eguiluz and Benat Prados miss out.
• Yeray Alvarez serves a suspension.

Valverde is expected to keep the starting XI largely unchanged despite recent defeats.

Gorka Guruzeta offers an attacking option from the bench.

Betis also carry injury concerns into the fixture.

• Giovani Lo Celso and Isco remain injured.
• Diego Llorente is doubtful with a muscular issue.

Marc Roca should return to midfield after the midweek European tie.

Álvaro Valles is set to resume goalkeeping duties for Betis.

Likely lineups

Possible starting choices reflect current absences and recent team news.

Athletic Bilbao (possible)

• Simón
• Gorosabel
• Vivian
• Laporte
• Berchiche
• Ruiz de Galarreta
• Jauregizar
• Navarro
• Sancet
• Berenguer
• I. Williams

Real Betis (possible)

• Vallés
• Bellerín
• Bartra
• Natan
• Rodríguez
• Antony
• Fornals
• Marc Roca
• Ezzalzouli
• Ruibal
• Hernández

Head-to-head note

The earlier meeting this season ended 2-1 in Athletic’s favour in Seville.

The corresponding fixture in 2024-25 finished 2-2.

Prediction

This clash is difficult to call. Real Betis travel after midweek European action.

Expect a tight contest and few goals. A 1-1 draw looks the likeliest outcome.