Team Form: Athletic Club Bilbao
A week ago, the team suffered a surprise heavy defeat to Girona (0:3). That loss was their second in a row, although before that Athletic Club Bilbao had gone five La Liga rounds unbeaten (3 wins, 2 draws). Notably, after a nine-match scoring run in the Spanish league, the club have failed to score in two straight games. At the same time, the Basques last kept a clean sheet in this competition back on 6 December. It is also worth noting that head coach Ernesto Valverde has announced he will leave the team at the end of the season. The coach will try to steady the situation in La Liga before he goes. Right now, the team sit 10th in the table and are six points off the European places.
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 11 of Athletic Club Bilbao’s last 12 league matches.
- The club have won with Athletic Club Bilbao (+1.5) for six straight home games in this competition.
- The Basques have not scored more than 1 goal in 7 of their last 9 home matches in La Liga.
Potential Athletic Club Bilbao Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon – Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche – Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer – Inaki Williams.
Alejandro Rego has served his suspension. Due to injuries, centre-back Aitor Paredes, midfielder Benat Prados and forward Nico Williams will all miss out. The involvement of defender Unai Ehilus and striker Maroan Sannadi is in doubt.
Team Form: Real Betis Balompie
In the last round, the club drew at home with Celta Vigo (1:1). Real Betis Balompie’s winless run in La Liga has now reached four matches (3 draws, 1 defeat) — their worst spell of the current season. On the other hand, across their last seven league games, the Seville side have suffered only one defeat, away to a tough Getafe (0:2). It is also worth noting that the team have failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight La Liga matches. In the standings, the Andalusians remain fifth, with the club three points clear of their nearest pursuer.
- Real Betis Balompie have scored in 11 of their last 12 La Liga matches.
- The team have won with Real Betis Balompie (+1.5) in 9 of their last 10 games in this competition.
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 5 of the Seville side’s last 6 away matches in the Spanish league.
Potential Real Betis Balompie Lineup (4-3-3)*
Alvaro Valles – Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan, Junior Firpo – Marc Roca, Alvaro Fidalgo, Pablo Fornals – Abde Ezzalzouli, Aitor Ruibal, Cucho Hernandez.
Due to fitness issues, midfielders Isco and Giovani Lo Celso are not ready for the game.
Who Will Referee the Match
Alejandro Munoz (Spain)
Matches – 13 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 64;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 5;
Fouls per match on average – 25;
Penalties – 31%.
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Betis Balompie: Match Prediction
Athletic Club Bilbao, it seemed, had made a serious step forward towards the end of winter. Across February, the team did not suffer a single defeat in La Liga, collecting 11 points from 15 available. However, that brief upturn appears to have been largely linked to a kind schedule. In spring, the Basques have lost both of their previous league matches, and a week ago the club were thrashed away to an inconsistent Girona. Athletic Club Bilbao now have just three wins from their last 12 La Liga rounds. Even if we look strictly at home games, across their last 12 La Liga matches at San Mames, the team have won only five times.
Real Betis Balompie are also going through a difficult spell by their standards this season, but even now the club continue to fight for points in virtually every match. Since February, the Seville side have collected at least one point everywhere except away to Getafe (0:2). In fact, across the entire current La Liga campaign, the team have recorded only three defeats in their last 14 away matches. Crucially, the head-to-head meetings with Athletic Club Bilbao have generally gone well too — here Real Betis Balompie have lost only two of the last eight Spanish league meetings.
Prediction: Real Betis Balompie, double chance
* For each team, the starting XI is taken from their previous match in this competition.