YIBADA

La Liga 2016-2017: Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

| Sep 22, 2016 09:29 PM EDT

Sevilla defender Gabriel Mercado.

Streaking squads Athletic Bilbao (3-2-0, 9 points) and Sevilla FC (3-0-2, 11 points) will try to snap each other's unbeaten runs as they are set to face one another in a 2016-2017 La Liga season match at the San Mamés Stadium on Sep. 24, Saturday.

Start Time and Streaming Info

The game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.

Athletic Bilbao has ascended to the seventh spot of the Spanish top flight table as the team is currently on a three-game winning streak after opening the season with two straight losses.

Their most recent game was a 2-1 victory over bottom three squad Granada at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on Wednesday, as per ESPN.

Midfielder Raul Garcia netted the opening goal for Los Leones with a left-footer from outside the box at the 15th minute.

El Grana was able to level the count one minute before halftime with a goal from Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Carcela-González to reach the break at 1-1.

Head coach Ernesto Valverde's side had the last laugh, though, as French defender Aymeric Laporte scored the winner with a close range left-footed shot following a corner kick.

Meanwhile, reigning Europa League champions Sevilla nipped struggling team Real Betis, 1-0, at their home field of Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Tuesday for their fifth straight unbeaten performance, Yahoo Sports reported.

Argentine defender Gabriel Mercado netted the winning goal for the Sevillistas at the 51st minute off a set piece situation from a pass by French winger Samir Nasri.

Los Rojiblancos has alternated wins and draws in their first five games this season as they are now in solo second place in the overall standings, two points behind powerhouse squad and current league leaders Real Madrid and one point ahead of defending champions FC Barcelona.

A tough, hard-fought match is expected between Athletic Club and Sevilla, but head coach Jorge Sampaoli's boys are the slight favorites to prevail on the road.

Prediction and Predicted Lineup

The predicted result is a close 2-1 win for Sevilla.

Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Arrizabalaga; Martinez, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; Benat, San Jose; del Moral, Garcia, Muniain; Aduriz

Sevilla starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Rico; Mariano, Pareja, Mercado, Escudero; Vazquez, N'Zonzi, Iborra; Vitolo, Vietto, Nasri

Related News

Most Popular

EDITOR'S PICK