La Liga: Bilbao ‘Bounce’ Returns Home

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal

Have the celebrations stopped yet?

That’s what this SBOTOP writer wants to know after Athletic Bilbao ended a 40-year trophy drought in a nerve-wracking Copa del Rey final in Seville.

It was quite the finale for the fourth oldest Spanish club who beat spirited underdogs Mallorca 4-2 on penalties (after a 1-1 draw) to claim their first since 1984.

In means so much for a La Liga club which is among only three never to be relegated (alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona), while staying loyal to their unique philosophy of only fielding players of Basque origin.

Add in six Copa del Rey final defeats since 1984 and you can see why this meant so much.

In fact, it’s estimated approximately 100,000 Athletic fans travelled to Seville for the final last weekend, the majority without tickets for the match.

I suppose the key question now is have the players – four of them could even be fined for an impromptu street party celebrating their triumph (nobody was hurt, nor were there any damages) – recovered sufficiently to face Villarreal?

Talking Points

In many ways, the pressure is now off.

As they aim to return to the Champions League for the first time in a decade with a fourth placed finish, they are already guaranteed at least Europa League football next season (for the first time since 2018).

Their impressive and entertaining style of football, under the stewardship of former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, has caught the eye with plenty of La Liga highlights to date.

Valverde will have a near full-strength squad to select from with midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta the only confirmed absentee through suspension.

The game also brings together two of La Liga’s top goal-scorers with Gorka Guruzeta (13 goals for Bilbao) and Alexander Sorloth (14 for Villarreal) on the periphery of the race for the Pichichi.

Sorloth has been one of the bright spots in a largely underwhelming season for Villarreal. Former Marseille and Valencia boss Marcelino is their third manager of the campaign, after the sackings of both Quique Setien and Pacheta, and has overseen an improvement to the extent they have now moved into the top-half of the table.

They will be without Pepe Reina and Francis Coquelin through injury this weekend, whilst Eric Bailly, Juan Foyth and Denis Suarez are also doubtful.

History

This is a fixture which has been keenly contested historically,

Bilbao have tasted success 19 times, just one more than Villarreal with a further 16 draws.

The first game came in 1996/97 in a third round Copa del Rey tie when a Ismael Urzaiz penalty won the day for Bilbao in the first leg.

They were then held to a 2-2 home draw to ensure they prevailed 3-2 on aggregate.

Their very first league encounter came two seasons later and once more resulted in a 1-0 Bilbao triumph at Villarreal – Urzaiz again the marksman.

It wasn’t until March 2002 that Villarreal defeated Bilbao for the first time – a resounding 5-2 success in which they netted five times without reply in the first half, courtesy of Victor (two), Quique Alvarez, Jorge Lopez and Antonio Guayre.

This meeting last season was won by the home side thanks to a solitary goal from Inaki Williams just before the hour mark.

Bilbao also edged a five goal contest in the Estadi de la Ceramica earlier this season when Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Williams and Inaki Williams all scored in the opening half hour to leave the Basque boys cruising.

It remained that way until four minutes from time when Gerard Moreno and Alexander Sorloth found the net twice in as many minutes to set up a closer finish than anticipated.

Aside from a 5-1 thrashing on home soil last season, Villarreal have not beaten Bilbao since a 3-0 win in 2018 when Pablo Fornals, Ramiro Funes Mori and Karl Toko Ekambi netted second half goals without reply.

Betting Tip

How can I bet against the new Copa del Rey champions in such fine and confident form.

They may have struggled to see off the spirited challenge of Mallorca but that was, probably, due to pressure of final defeats in years gone by.

In many ways, that pressure has now been lifted and they can look forward to meeting the yellow submarine with a renewed relish.

Another 3-2 success for the Basque boys will earn you a pay day of @ 21.00 with Correct Score, and I do think there will be a fair few goals so have considered Total Goals 4-6 @ 2.84.

I am going to edge towards the hosts with the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds and my *** bet is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 5.00.

 

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