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Three valuable points will be up for grabs when Athletic Bilbao and Elche draw swords in the fifth round of La Liga at San Mames on Saturday.
The hosts have started to find their stride and will set their sights on a third consecutive victory.
Elche, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat.
Read our Athletic Bilbao vs Elche prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche key stats
- Elche lost three of their last four trips to San Mames.
- Six of the visiting team's last seven matches went above the 2.5-goal mark.
- Athletic Bilbao's last four games have all produced at least 11 corners.
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche preview: Elche's struggles to continue?
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche — Tale of the Tape
| Athletic Bilbao | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | Position | 19th |
| 6 | Points | 1 |
| 6 | Goals For | 5 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 14th | Home / Away Rank | 14th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Athletic Bilbao cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in their last La Liga outing.
The Basque side's fortunes have improved over the course of their season, as they kicked off their new campaign with back-to-back defeats but have now won consecutive matches without conceding.
With six points earned from a possible 12, Edin Terzic's troops are 10th in La Liga, having scored six goals, five of which came in their last two games.
Interestingly, Robert Navarro was on the scoresheet in Athletic Club's wins against Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old is expected to start this weekend and will fancy his chances of scoring in three consecutive matches for the first time in his professional career.
The hosts will be without the injured Benat Prados (thigh), Unai Eguiluz (ACL), Peio Canales (muscle), and Gorka Guruzeta (hamstring) this weekend.
On the other hand, Elche are coming off a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Real Sociedad.
After falling two goals behind, the Valencia-based side fought hard to get back into the match after Sociedad went down to 10 men; they managed to score twice to tie things up, but still conceded a late winner to their short-handed visitors.
This has not been a particularly pleasant campaign for Martin Anselmi's men. They have lost three consecutive matches and have managed only one point in four league games so far, which leaves them in 19th place.
Although the visitors have conceded more goals (12) than any other team in La Liga this season, summer signing Fernando Nino has scored in their last two games, and this should offer some hope as they aim for their first win of the season.
Adam Boayar is recovering from a muscle injury and is Elche's only absentee this weekend.
Athletic Bilbao have been the dominant side in recent H2Hs, having won three of the last five encounters between these outfits (D1, L1).
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche form guide & betting tips
| Athletic Bilbao | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
L
L
W
W
|
La Liga Form |
D
L
L
L
|
| 6 | Points | 1 |
| 10th | Form Table | 19th |
| 6 | Goals For | 5 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 12 |
L
L
L
W
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
D
L
L
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Elche
Priced at 9/20 (1.45), Athletic Bilbao are considered favourites by the bookmakers.
Considering Elche's losing streak, coupled with their poor track record against Athletic Club, we are confident that the hosts will extend their winning run to three games this weekend.
Both teams found the net in five of Elche's last seven matches, and this can be backed at 1/1 (2.00).
We also fancy over 3.5 total goals at 33/20 (2.65); the visitors are coming off three consecutive five-goal thrillers.
> Over 3.5 total goals at 33/20 (2.65) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Athletic Bilbao at 9/20 (1.45) | Likelihood: Probable
> Athletic Bilbao & BTTS – Yes at 21/10 (3.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 3-1 at 11/1 (12.00) | Likelihood: Outsider