The Matchday 21 clash in La Liga between Athletic and Leganes will take place on January 26 at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Athletic vs. Leganes: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez (Spain)
Matches – 9 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 33%.
Predicted lineups for Athletic vs. Leganes
Athletic (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon – Yeray Alvarez, Andoni Gorosabel, Adama Boira, Daniel Vivian – Benat Prados, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Nico Williams, Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez – Alex Berenguer.
Leganes (5-4-1): Marko Dmitrovic – Matija Nastasic, Valentin Rosier, Javi Hernandez Carrera, Sergio Gonzalez, Renato Tapia – Ivan Neyu, Seydouba Cisse, Juan Cruz, Dani Raba – Miguel de la Fuente.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Athletic
Ernesto Valverde's side played their last three matches away, successfully navigating this challenging stretch of the championship. They first drew 1-1 with Alaves, then secured 2-1 victories over Osasuna and Celta. Notably, the team has won six of their last seven matches in La Liga. This successful run has not only solidified their position in the top four but also brought them level on points with Barcelona (39).
- Athletic's unbeaten streak in La Liga stands at 11 matches (7 wins and 4 draws).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 matches involving the Bilbao club in the championship.
- The number "1" appeared in the final scoreline in 8 of Athletic's last 9 matches in La Liga.
Leganes
The club from the Madrid suburbs caused an upset for the second time this season in the last round. They managed to defeat Atletico 1-0 at their home stadium. In mid-December, Borja Jimenez's side also won 1-0 away against Barcelona. In both cases, Leganes' opponents lost their lead in the championship. However, the club is only in 15th place, just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Defender Enric Franquesa will miss the match due to injury.
- At least two goals were scored in 12 of the last 16 matches involving the club in La Liga.
- The number "1" appeared in the final scoreline in 6 of Leganes' last 7 away matches in La Liga.
- Both teams scored in 6 of the last 7 away matches for the club in the championship.
Athletic vs. Leganes: Match Prediction
The bookmakers' odds were not influenced by Borja Jimenez's team's victories over the La Liga leaders, both with clean sheets. Low odds are offered for a win by the Basque side, but I believe the visitors can surprise again or at least lose by a narrow margin. I am confident their strategy will be the same as in the last round – cautious defense and reliance on counterattacks.
The Basques have not lost in the championship since early October. However, they have not scored three or more goals in their last ten La Liga matches. Even at home, the team rarely delivers high-scoring football – in their last 16 home matches in La Liga, they have scored three or more goals only twice. Although Leganes does not have an impenetrable defense, defeating them by a large margin is not easy. In their last 25 championship matches, the club from the Madrid suburbs has conceded more than two goals only five times.
My prediction – Athletic Individual Total Under 2
