📊 Form Guide

Athletic Bilbao

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Athletic Bilbao prepare for this fixture coming off the back of a 0-0 Europa League drawn result vs Rangers.

In that match, Athletic Bilbao managed 71% possession and 19 shots at goal with 3 of them on target. On the other side, Rangers got 4 shots on goal with 0 on target.

Their latest results reveal that quality has been evident in the Athletic Bilbao backline. Athletic Bilbao have been stingy, resulting in the tally of goals that have flown into the back of their net during their previous six clashes standing at 2. Despite that, we’ll just have to find out if that trend shall persist here in this match.

Their prior results show that Athletic Bilbao:

• have not lost a league tie with Rayo Vallecano in their previous 6 matches.
• are undefeated in their last 12 home league matches. It's been impressive.
• haven’t won at home in the past 2 league games.

Rayo Vallecano

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Following on from a losing effort in their last game against Espanyol in La Liga action, Rayo Vallecano and their travelling supporters will be hoping that they can get a better result in this one.

In that game, Rayo Vallecano had 69% possession and 16 shots on goal with 5 on target. At the other end, Espanyol got 15 shots at goal with 7 of them on target. Leandro Cabrera (12'), Roberto Fernández (16'), Javi Puado (72') and Pere Milla (90') scored for Espanyol.

The stats tell the story, and Rayo Vallecano have been scored against in 5 of their last 6 games, seeing their opponents hit 10 goals in all. At the back, Rayo Vallecano have some weaknesses to address.

Coming into this meeting, Rayo Vallecano have not emerged victorious against Athletic Bilbao in games played away from home for the previous 2 league games.

👥 Head to head

An examination of their past head to head results stretching back to 23/01/2022 tells us that these fixtures have been pretty painful for Rayo Vallecano. They’ve not been able to come away with any wins whatsoever while Athletic Bilbao have been dominant against them, getting wins in 83 per cent of those matches.

An aggregate of 14 goals were produced between them in this period, with 11 for Los Leones and 3 coming from Franjirrojos. The average goals per game has been 2.33.

The previous league encounter between these sides was La Liga match day 15 on 01/12/2024 which ended up with the score at Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Athletic Bilbao.

In that match, Rayo Vallecano had 47% possession and 7 shots on goal with 4 on target. Their only player to score was Randy Nteka (14').

Athletic Bilbao got 12 attempts on goal with 7 on target. Oihan Sancet (65', 78') scored.

The match was refereed by Mario Melero López.

📰 Team News: Athletic Bilbao

In all likelihood, Los Leones will possibly employ a 4-2-3-1 formation this time, handing starts to Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boiro, Mikel Jauregizar, Benat Prados, Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta.

📰 Team News: Rayo Vallecano

Due to a mostly available squad, there’s only a single fitness worry for the Rayo Vallecano boss Iñigo Pérez to contend with. Abdul Mumin (Knee injury) misses out for this game.

We reckon that Franjirrojos will likely play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, going with Augusto Batalla, Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Aridane Hernandez, Pep Chavarria, Pathe Ciss, Pedro Diaz, Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia and Randy Nteka.

🔮 Prediction

We’re of the opinion that Rayo Vallecano are capable enough to break down this Athletic Bilbao lineup, however that probably won’t be enough to avoid a loss.

We’re going for a close game with a 2-1 victory for Athletic Bilbao after 90 minutes. There shouldn’t be much in it, either way.

Renata Leite, 18:00 13/04/2025