Athletic Bilbao Vs. Leganes Prediction: Secure Top Board At San Mames

Nico Williams, secure the Athletic Bilbao position at San Mames. (photo: x @AthleticClub)

JAKARTA - Athletic Bilbao will try to strengthen their position in the top four of the La Liga standings as they continue their 2024-25 season campaign by hosting Leganes at the San Mates on Sunday 26 January.

The Basque team is currently in fourth place in the standings with 39 points from 20 matches, while Leganes sits in 15th place with 22 points from the same number of matches.

Athletic Bilbao impressed in La Liga this season by recording 11 wins, six draws, and three defeats from their 20 matches. Currently, they have the same number of points as Barcelona who are in third place.

shift Valverde's side are even only seven points adrift of the top of the standings, so they can be considered a winning candidate. Last week, Athletic won 2-1 over Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Despite being unbeaten in their last 11 league games since losing to Girona in early October, Athletic has suffered three defeats in their last four matches in all competitions, including a 4-1 loss to Besiktas in the Europa League last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Leganes will come to San Mames confidently after recording four unbeaten matches in early 2025. This feat included a surprise 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week, ending Diego Simeone's record 15 consecutive matches.

Currently, Leganes have a record five wins, seven draws, and eight defeats from their 20 matches, which put them three points ahead of the relegation zone.

Leganes, who won the Segunda Division last season, have shown solid performance in their first season of returning to La Liga since 2019-20.

Athletics will lose Oihan Sancet due to an ankle injury, but they are in pretty good shape for this match. Head coachlodia Valverde is expected to make a big rotation after the loss to Besiktas, with Unai Simon, Adama Boiro, Yeray, Andoni Gorosabel, and Inaki Williams likely returning to the starting XI.

Leganes will be strengthened by Juan Soriano who has finished his suspension, but Oscar Rodriguez is still absent due to a ban on playing. Renato Tapia and Enrique Franquesa will also not be available due to injury.

After an impressive victory over Atletico Madrid, coach Borja Jimenez may retain most of the players who performed in the match. However, the center-back position is likely to be filled by Jorge Saenz to replace Renato Tapia.

Athletic Bilbao is in good form in La Liga and has a strong home record, while Leganes is showing a surprising fight against the big teams. However, with the squad's quality advantage and support for San Mames, Athletic Bilbao is predicted to win with a score of 2-0.

Athletic Bilbao :Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Benat, Gomez, Jauregizar; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams.

Leganes:Dmitrovic;principal, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Saenz, J Hernandez; Raba, Neyou, Cisse, Cruz; De la Fuente.