Athletic Club travel to the Ceramica on Sunday in a big game in the race for Champions League football. Our Villarreal vs Athletic Club prediction and La Liga betting tips consider whether either side can pick up maximum points.
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Villarreal vs Athletic Club prediction: Nico Williams to shine in draw
Key stats
- Our Villarreal vs Athletic Club betting tips take into account that 86% of away league games involving Los Leones have served up under 3.5 goals.
- Villarreal have a relatively low 38% home win ratio in the Spanish top flight this term.
- They’ve taken only two points from their seven games against top-six opponents.
Correct score prediction: Villarreal 1-1 Athletic Club
These are two strong sides and two teams who look likely to make it to the Champions League next season, with the clubs in the top five places expected to qualify.
Villarreal don’t do a great deal to justify their favourites tag for this match though given their relatively disappointing home record, and Athletic look well capable of keeping things quite tight and leaving with a good point.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies favour the Yellow Submarine
- HOME: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.5%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Villarreal vs Athletic Club odds, with an implied probability of 45.5% that they win this match.
They were 2-1 winners at Getafe last time out, with strikers Ayoze Perez and Thierno Barry on target.
As for Athletic, they head into this game after a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s free football tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: One win in 12 for the hosts
Our Villarreal vs Athletic Club prediction suggests Los Leones can build on a strong recent record against this opposition which has seen them lose only one of the last 12 meetings.
Four of the last six meetings at the Ceramica have finished up all square.
Spain La Liga 08/12/24
Athletic Bilbao
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 14/04/24
Athletic Bilbao
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 05/11/23
Villarreal
Athletic Bilbao
Spain La Liga 13/05/23
Villarreal
Athletic Bilbao
Spain La Liga 30/10/22
Athletic Bilbao
Villarreal
Villarreal preview: Pepe misses out
The home team have lost Nicolas Pepe to an injury, while Ilias Akhomach misses out again. Raul Albiol is rated doubtful.
Predicted Lineup: Junior (GK), Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Foyth, Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Buchanan, Ayoze & Barry
Spain La Liga 10/05/25
W Girona 0 Villarreal 1 Spain La Liga 03/05/25
W Osasuna 2 Villarreal 4 Spain La Liga 27/04/25
W Espanyol 0 Villarreal 1 Spain La Liga 23/04/25
L Celta Vigo 3 Villarreal 0 Spain La Liga 20/04/25
D Real Sociedad 2 Villarreal 2
Athletic Club preview: Vivian to return?
Ernesto Valverde may recall key centre-back Dani Vivian following injury, while top scorer Oihan Sancet could also play some part in the game. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is rated doubtful.
Predicted Lineup: Simon (GK), Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, De Marcos, Prados, Jauregizar, N. Williams, U. Gomez, I. Williams & Sannadi
Spain La Liga 11/05/25
W CD Alaves 0 Athletic Bilbao 1 UEFA Europa League 08/05/25
L Man Utd 4 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain La Liga 04/05/25
D Real Sociedad 0 Athletic Bilbao 0 UEFA Europa League 01/05/25
L Man Utd 3 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain La Liga 23/04/25
W Las Palmas 0 Athletic Bilbao 1
Player to watch – Nico Williams
The main threat from the away team is likely to come from Nico Williams. The Spain international has hit form in recent weeks, with six goals in his last nine appearances for club and country.
Nico’s varied threat
The 22-year-old has got a little bit of everything in his locker. This season in La Liga he averages 2.0 shots per game, 1.5 key passes and 2.4 dribbles.