The promoted team could pose a threat to Bilbao
Rising stars Espanyol are doing well in Spain’s top flight so far and have had some scorching results in recent weeks. Even the country’s big boys are not easily on the winning track against the league newcomers. The question is: Can the underdogs keep up these performances in the coming weeks?
One could say “when it goes, it goes” and so it is anything but unrealistic that something worthwhile will also come out against the traditional club from the Basque country. If the betting odds are anything to go by in Espanyol Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao, then the home side even have a razor-thin advantage.
On the other hand, the visitors have also been convincing so far and a place in the European Cup does not seem to be out of reach this season. But if you want to get there, you shouldn’t afford any slip-ups against a promoted team. The bottom line is that a very interesting exchange of blows is in the offing.
Where do you have the best profit opportunities with your bets, though? In the three-way, Espanyol Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao requires a bit of flair when placing a bet.
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
The Catalans have only lost one of their last six league games. At the beginning of October, they even defeated the “White Ballet” from Madrid. Espanyol are therefore clearly above their target.
In the meantime, they are in eleventh place in the table and have nothing to do with relegation at the moment. In the next match, coach Vincent Moreno is determined to score again with his boys, and he has already convinced the bookmakers of this.
Only lost once at home
The only defeat at the RCDE Stadium in five games so far has been to champions Atletico. Even that game was very close and the last three home games were all won. Will the fourth home win in a row follow?
The fact is, hardly any team is more dangerous in its own stadium than the promoted team! Especially when it comes to Bilbao, the home advantage is not to be sneezed at, as the Catalans have not lost in a direct duel at home for no less than 22 first division matches, or 23 years. So if you are betting on Espanyol vs. Athletic Bilbao, you can rely on this statistic.
Attack in top form
Even the fact that goals are being scored at very regular intervals up front gives hope at the moment. In the last three games, they have always scored twice and in the pre-season, the goal rate in their own stadium averaged two per game.
Even though the league newcomers are basically the underdogs on paper, we do not expect a defeat for the home-strong Moreno eleven. The bottom line is that we expect a close affair, although a draw seems very realistic in the given case and would probably satisfy both sides.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Lopez – Gil, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa -Darder, Lopez – Embarba, Melendo, Moron – de Tomas
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
LaLiga
10/23 2021 – Elche 2 – 2 Espanyol
10/18 2021 – Espanyol 2 – 0 Cadiz
10/03 2021 – Espanyol 2 – 1 Real Madrid
09/25 2021 – Sevilla 2 – 0 Espanyol
09/22 2021 – Espanyol 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
Athletic Bilbao have also had a satisfying season so far, with only one defeat in nine games and sixth place in the table.
Even the big clubs Barca and Atletico have been held to a draw, so there is no reason to be afraid of the upcoming opponents. However, there is a reason why the bookies’ odds on Espanyol Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao do not necessarily suggest a victory for the visitors.
Away wins are rare
Although “Los Leones” have not yet lost away from home this season, they have only had one full success on foreign soil. They drew the remaining games. In addition, the away statistics of the upcoming opponents are inferior, so betting on the guests is not an option.
We are also curious to see whether the defence around national keeper Simon will continue to keep things tight. Five times already this season, the back line has been zero. Espanyol, however, have plenty of quality up front.
Williams still on the hunt for goals
Inaki Williams is expected to provide the goals up front, as he did last year. He and his attacking colleagues have only failed to score twice this season. The Basques’ centre-backs are also very goal-threatening, especially in set-pieces. However, they have only scored more than one goal once in their last five matches.
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Lekue, Vivian, Martinez, Balenziaga – Berenguer, Vencedor, Garcia, Muniain – Garcia, Williams
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
LaLiga
10/23 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 1 FC Villarreal
10/01 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves
09/25 2021 – Valencia 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
09/21 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 2 Rayo Vallecano
09/18 2021 – Atletico Madrid 0 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
Espanyol Barcelona – Athletic Bilbao Direct comparison / H2H record
In total, the two traditional clubs have already faced each other 178 times, the balance is almost even. While the Catalans hold 66 victories, the Basques have recorded 74 full victories. In the last four encounters, there has been one win and two draws on each side.
Espanyol Barcelona – Athletic Bilbao Tip
There is a reason why the odds are almost evenly distributed for Espanyol Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao, as both teams are playing a good season so far. The hosts also have an outstanding home record against their upcoming opponents, but the visitors are hard to beat at the moment
From our point of view, a bet on X is therefore the logical choice. By the way, Bilbao have drawn three of their four away games so far. The corresponding odds at Betway are 3.10, for which a stake of three units seems appropriate to us.
