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La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Granada: Athletic Bilbao will host relegation-threatened Granada at San Mames on Friday evening, kicking off the team’s fight to finish in the top four of La Liga.
With seven games remaining, Granada is in 19th place, 11 points out of the safe spot of 17th, while the Lions are now in fifth place in the division, four points behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid.
Athletic was back in league action on Sunday, splitting the points with the Yellow Submarine in a 1-1 draw. Athletic was declared the 2023–24 Copa del Rey winners earlier this month.
Oihan Sancet gave Ernesto Valverde’s team the lead in the 66th minute of play, and they looked set to win all three points until Dani Parejo scored a penalty in the 95th.
After playing the same number of games (31), the Lions are four points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth place in the division. The Basque team is fiercely competing for a Champions League finish in Spain’s top flight for the first time in ten years.
After this game, Valverde’s team will play Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano. Despite this, their schedule for the remainder of the season is somewhat kind, and Atletico will be hurt by their Champions League quarter final loss to Borussia Dortmund.
This season, Athletic has performed admirably at home, winning 37 of their 16 games and picking up just one loss. In contrast, Granada has the worst away record in the division, winning only two of their 15 away games.
In fact, Granada has won three of their last six league games against Athletic, with only one loss over that span. Meanwhile, the Basques have only suffered one loss in their last six meetings with Granada.
On Friday night, though, Jose Ramon Sandoval’s team will face a difficult task as they attempt to win just four league games this year.
Granada has had a tough season, managing just 17 points from their 31 league games. As a result, they are currently in 19th place in the standings, 11 points behind 17th-place Celta Vigo.
The struggling team, however, will go into this game fresh off a stunning triumph over Alaves last weekend, which ended a five-game losing streak and proved to be their first win since the beginning of January.
The defending Segunda Division champions, Granada, will play two of their final three league games of the season against Real Madrid and Girona. However, it will require a tremendous effort in the closing weeks of the season to make it back-to-back championships at this level of football.
Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
L D W W L D
Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):
D W W L W D
Granada La Liga form:
L L L L L W
Before it is known if Yeray Alvarez will be available for Athletic, who may have a complete roster available for this match, the defender must go through a late fitness test.
After serving his suspension, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is back eligible. The midfielder is expected to start again, with Mikel Vesga likely to be the man on the bench.
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Going forward, however, nothing will change as Gorka Guruzeta will once again be supported by Inaki Williams, Sancet, and Nico Williams, with Aitor Paredes expected to stay in the midst of defence.
Oscar Melendo is still doubtful for Granada because of a muscle problem, but other than that, the visitors are well-prepared for the match at San Mames.
Gonzalo Villar could be the guy trying the hardest to get into the starting lineup for this game, but on Friday night, it’s probably going to be the same for the underachievers.
The goals that Lucas Boye and Myrto Uzuni scored against Alaves the last time out will be continued in the last third of the field, and Manchester United attacker Facundo Pellistri, who is now on loan, could get another start in a wide area.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Granada possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Mendez, Rubio, Miquel, Neva; Pellistri, Gumbau, Ruiz, Jozwiak; Boye, Uzuni
Our prediction for this match 2-0 won by Athletic Bilbao
