Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 12/04/2024, 12:30  by Sridhar | Modified on 14/04/2024 at 04:30 in LaLiga Prediction

After the monumental win in the Copa del Rey final, Athletic Bilbao will set their sights on their top-four chase as Villarreal come to town. The San Mames Stadium will host La Liga matchday 31 on Sunday. Ahead of this round, the hosts are fifth with 56 points, while the visitors are tenth with 38 points. Athletic are only two points behind fourth-placed Atletico and are still in with a chance of finishing in the Champions League qualification places. Having won the Copa del Rey competition, defeating Mallorca in the final, Athletic have three wins over their last four competitive matches. Their push for a top-four finish is likely to be helped by their excellent form at this venue. The hosts haven’t lost a home league match across their last 14 league matches, winning 11.

Villarreal are comfortably placed with no relegation worries and no practical hopes of qualifying for Europe. Yet, they can target a top-half finish, as they currently trail eighth-placed Real Betis by four points. They lost 2-1 to Atletico in their last match, but that was their first defeat since mid-January. Over that period, the visitors have won five and drawn four before the loss to Atletico halted their march. Yet, with four wins across their last five matches, Villarreal are likely to pose a threat to Athletic’s dominance. Giving wings to those hopes is Villarreal’s form on the road. The Yellow Submarine have won three and drawn one of their last four away league games, and they travel here with hopes of upsetting the home side’s calculations.