Athletic Club Bilbao - Sevilla predictions and free betting tips [19/05/2024]

On Sunday, 19 May in the 37th round of the Spanish La Liga, Athletic Bilbao will host Sevilla. The Basques have lost all chances of making it into the Champions League zone due to last week's defeat to Celta, while the visitors have long ceased to compete for anything significant.

Athletic

Athletic have slowed down after their Copa del Rey triumph over Mallorca in early April. Ernesto Valverde's side will play in the Europa League next autumn, but for a long time, the Basques were vying for a top-four finish. However, the hosts will try to finish the season on a high note in front of their fans and firmly secure the 5th spot in the La Liga standings. Last week, Athletic lost 2-1 to Celta at Balaídos, before drawing at home to Osasuna. Berenguer put the Lions ahead in the 23rd minute, but Celta turned the game around in the second half with goals from Swedberg and Álvarez. The coaching staff won't be pleased that the hosts have managed just one clean sheet in their last eight matches.

In home performances, Athletic ranks fifth overall, with 39 points from 18 home games (40 goals scored, 18 conceded). Berchiche has served his suspension for yellow cards and will return to the starting lineup. Guruzeta, the club's top scorer with 14 goals and 5 assists, Iker Muniain, who will leave the team at the end of the season, and youngsters Nico Williams (4 goals, 10 assists in La Liga) and Sancet (4 goals, 5 assists in the league) are all expected to start. Ghanaian winger Iñaki Williams (12 goals, 3 assists) and Alex Berenguer (7 goals, 2 assists) will be responsible for creativity in attack, with Paredes and Vivian forming the central defence duo.

Sevilla

Sevilla overcame a prolonged crisis too late to hope for a European competition spot, but the team deserves praise for finishing the current campaign well. Quique Sánchez Flores' side sits 12th in the table and aims to break into the top ten before heading on vacation. Despite this, the Andalusians have lost their last two league matches: first, a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal last weekend, followed by a home fiasco against Cádiz midweek, – the only goal coming in the 96th minute from Guardiola Navarro. This setback also ended a nine-match scoring streak for the Red and Whites. In away performances, Sevilla ranks tenth overall, with 18 points from 18 matches (21 goals scored, 25 conceded).  

Before discussing absences and returning players, it is worth mentioning the experienced Jesús Navas, who will leave the Andalusian club after 17 seasons. The 38-year-old winger/defender plans to retire this summer and will likely start this game. Not available are Gudelj, Lamela, Sou and talented youngster Romero (4 goals, 4 assists), who are injured. Oliver Torres and the Frenchman Sumaré (suspended for yellow cards) are also unavailable. Coach Quique Sánchez Flores will undoubtedly want to harness the services of Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who is having another successful personal season (15 goals). Belgian Lukébakio (5 goals), winger Ocampos, and attacking playmaker Suso (4 assists in La Liga) will be responsible for creativity on the flanks.

Head-to-Head

Athletic defeated Sevilla 0-2 in the first-round match on 4 January. However, in Bilbao, the Lions have only managed one win in their last four encounters.

Match Prediction: Athletic vs Sevilla

Both teams are struggling at the end of the season, making it difficult to pick a winner in this encounter. The factor of the final home match of the season should give Athletic an extra motivation boost, especially since Sevilla have lost all interest in the game and have suffered back-to-back defeats in May. My prediction is a home win for Athletic.