Almería vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 12/02/2024, 06:19  by Devesh Jaganath in LaLiga Predictions

Two sides with contrasting La Liga ambitions will face off on Monday night when Almeria play host to Athletic Bilbao. The hosts are bottom of the league standings, while the visitors are fifth. After avoiding the drop by the slenderest of margins last season, 2023-24 has been an absolute nightmare for Almeria. They have only managed six points in 23 league matches and look destined for relegation, already 14 points from safety. Almeria have failed to win a single match this season - only one team in the history of La Liga have managed to avoid relegation after winning two or fewer of the first 23 matches in a season. Undoubtedly, the visitor's major downfall this season has been their defensive weakness, as they have let in the league-high of 51 already this term. Almeria have not beaten this opponent in their last 11 meetings, including ten losses and are the clever underdogs in this one. 

Meanwhile, after missing out on Europe last season, Athletic Bilbao look determined not to suffer the same fate this term. They are on 45 points after their first 23 matches and have opened up a seven-point gap above sixth-placed Real Betis. Bilbao will come into this match full of confidence after taking a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid in midweek. That result marked their fourth match unbeaten, including an extra-time win against Barcelona that sent Blaugrana crashing out of the domestic cup. On the road this season, The Lions have taken 15 of a possible 33 points but are winless in their last two and failed to score in either of those matches. Still, against a side that are yet to win a league match and having beaten them 3-0 in the reverse fixture, the visitors will be expecting all three points from this match.