Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Getafe – prediction, team news, lineups

Athletic Bilbao will look to extend their unbeaten run to six matches when they welcome Getafe to San Mames for Wednesday’s La Liga contest.

The visitors, meanwhile, head on their travels with hopes of claiming their first away points of the 2023-24 season.

Match preview

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After beginning the campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao have responded in impressive fashion, putting together a five-game unbeaten run.

Ernesto Valverde‘s side picked up consecutive victories over Osasuna and Real Betis, before they were held to a goalless draw against Getafe.

They quickly returned to winning ways courtesy of a commanding 3-0 win over Cadiz, which was followed by another victory, as goals from Ink Williams and Jungle Sancet guided Los Leones to a 2-0 away win over fellow Basque club Alaves.

After recording back-to-back victories and a third consecutive clean sheet, Athletic Club are sitting in fourth position ahead of Wednesday’s contest.

With Los Leones set to face rivals Real Sociedad in Saturday’s Basque derby, they are desperate to head into that crucial encounter off the back of three successive victories, but that may be easier said than done, having drawn each of their last four meetings with Getafe.

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The visitors have experienced a mixed start to the season, having won two, drawn one and lost three of their opening six games.

They have picked up all seven of their points this season on home turf, thanks to a goalless draw against Barcelona and wins against Alaves and Osasuna.

While Jose Bordalas‘s side have picked up all seven points on home turf, they have been unable to replicate their impressive home form on their travels, losing to Girona, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in their three away trips.

In Saturday’s trip to the Reale Arena, the Azulones put themselves in a promising position against Real Sociedad when Carlos Alena cancelled out Take Kubo‘s opener, before Borja Mayoral dispatched his spot kick to give his side a 2-1 lead at the break.

However, their opponents fought back in the second half to turn the contest in their favour with a Mikel Oyarzabal brace and Brais Mendez effort, and while John is the Cannery pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it was too little too late as Getafe fell to a 4-3 defeat which leaves them in 13th position ahead of the midweek round of fixtures.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

Getafe La Liga form:

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Team News

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Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is set to miss a third consecutive game with an injury that he sustained while on international duty with Spain.

Peru Nolaskoai remains sidelined for the midweek contest, while Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta has been added to the absentee list after he was forced off in the second half against Alaves with a calf problem.

With Ruiz de Galarreta unavailable, experienced midfielder Dani Garcia could be presented with his first start of the season.

Getafe have reported no fresh injury concerns, although they are still unable to call upon midfielder Luis Milla and forward Enes Unal.

After coming off the bench at half time to score in the defeat to Real Sociedad, Latasa is expected to return to the starting lineup.

Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood is likely to feature as a substitute, having been introduced from the bench in Getafe’s last two matches.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; of Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Garcia; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Mitrovic; Alderete, Rich; Carmona, Maksimovic, Djene, Alena; Can, Mayoral

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Getafe

After winning their last two home matches, we think that Athletic Bilbao will prove too strong for Getafe, who have struggled on their travels this season, having lost all three away games.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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