Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal prediction, preview & betting tips – 12/04/2026

The final game for La Liga's Sunday programme is the derby between Athletic Club and Villarreal in Bilbao.

The home team still has hopes of getting into Europe next season, although that hope is diminishing with each round, while Villarreal are looking secure in their quest for a spot in the Champions League next season.

In any case, we expect an exciting duel between two very good teams and if you want to learn more about this match, check our Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal prediction and preview right here, but remember to also take a peek at our other La Liga predictions and our favourite betting tips for today.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal key stats

• Athletic Bilbao have gone under 2.5 total goals in four of their last six matches across the board.
• Villarreal have gone under 2.5 total goals in three of their last four away games in La Liga.
• Two of the last four meetings between these teams have ended in draws.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal preview: Could go either way

Playing in the Champions League this season hasn't done Athletic Bilbao many favours since their La Liga performances have suffered greatly and they're currently only in 11th place in the standings. To add insult to injury, the Basque team didn't even manage to qualify for the knockouts in the Champions League, having finished the league phase in 29th spot in the standings.

Athletic Bilbao could still rise through the rankings in La Liga given that they're just three points behind another Basque team Real Sociedad in seventh place, so there is a slim chance that they could be playing in Europe next season as well.

However, their recent form hasn't been that great either since they've lost three of their last five league games, winning just once in that span. A bad result against Villarreal, who are having one of their best seasons in La Liga in nearly a decade, can seal Bilbao's fate as a mid-table team this season.

Meanwhile, Benat Prados and Andoni Gorosabel are on the team's injury list ahead of this game.

When it comes to Villarreal, they are bound for their best finish in the league since 2016 when they finished fourth. At the moment, Villarreal are third in the standings, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid, but, more importantly, 12 points ahead of Real Betis in fifth place.

So, the Yellow Submarine are bound for Champions League football next season, unless they completely fall apart. Their recent form has been a bit shaky, with just seven points from the last five games, but even results like that should be enough to secure they finish the season either third or fourth.

Villarreal will have to manage without injured Juan Foyth, Logan Costa, Thomas Partey, and Pau Cabanes.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal form guide & betting tips

Whispers predicts: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Villarreal

We already mentioned a few stats that support a low-scoring game, but here's another - both teams are under 50% for over 2.5 total goals when it comes to matches played at home (Athletic) or away (Villarreal). So, back under 2.5 total goals at 10/11 odds.

Furthermore, since we expect a low-scoring game and it's a meeting between two very good teams, a draw sounds like a good bet for the final result, especially at 5/2 odds.

Both teams have averaged 2.1 yellow cards per game, but Athletic Bilbao have two players in Top 10 when it comes to the total yellow cards for the season - Dani Vivian and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta. So, we can see the hosts being the rougher team in this game and over 2.5 total cards for Bilbao is nicely priced at 11/10.

Furthermore, you can take a punt on Vivian to be booked at 11/4 odds or do the same on de Galarreta at 15/8.

Spain La Liga 27/09/25

Villarreal

1

Athletic Bilbao

0

Spain La Liga 06/04/25

Villarreal

0

Athletic Bilbao

0

Spain La Liga 08/12/24

Athletic Bilbao

2

Villarreal

0

Spain La Liga 14/04/24

Athletic Bilbao

1

Villarreal

1

Spain La Liga 05/11/23

Villarreal

2

Athletic Bilbao

3