Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squads Athletic Bilbao (4-4-2, 14 points) and RCD Espanyol (4-5-1, 13 points) are scheduled to meet at the San Mamés Stadium for a 2015-2016 La Liga encounter this Sunday, November 8th as both teams look to advance their campaigns in the current season.
Bilbao is looking good with a two-game winning run as the team is also unbeaten in its last five outings. Their last La Liga loss was way back in September against current league leader Real Madrid.
Athletic Club trounced Real Betis, 3-1, at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in their most recent win last Sunday as forward Iñaki Williams scored a brace at the 8th and 45th minutes, via Soccerway.
Béticos striker Rubén Castro managed to put his team on the board with a penalty kick at the 67th, but Los Leones midfielder Raúl García sealed the game with a strike at the 87th.
Meanwhile, Espanyol forced a 1-1 draw with lowly Granada also last Sunday at their home turf of Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, as reported by Sports Mole.
Granada struck first at the 58th minute with a goal from French defender Jean-Sylvain Babin. Los Periquitos defender Rober Correa was then sent off at the 68th to make matters worse for head coach Sergio González.
However, they were saved by the injury time strike of Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo, which salvaged a point for the Parakeets in the league table.
It would be a test of will and strength for both squads, but Ernesto Valverde's men will prevail.
The prediction is a tough 2-1 decision for Athletic Bilbao over Espanyol.
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Iraizoz; de Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; Williams, Garcia, Zuloaga; Aduriz
Espanyol starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Sabata; Rober, Alvaro, Roco, Duarte; Diop, Canas; Gullon, Asensio, Alvarez; Caicedo
