Athletic condition overview
Athletic Bilbao and Getafe will open the new La Liga season in the opening match in Bilbao. Both teams approach the start of the championship with different goals and ambitions. Athletic, who finished 5th last season, will be looking to repeat their result. Ernesto Valverde’s team is traditionally strong at home and will count on the support of the passionate Basque fans. Read more football predictions today for La Liga online.
Athletic Bilbao boasts a balanced squad, combining experienced players and talented youngsters. It is especially worth mentioning forward Iñaki Williams and his younger brother Nico, who can cause a lot of problems for the opposition defense. The latter is highly likely to leave the team, both Barça and PSG crave to sign the revelation of the EURO. Iker Muniain and Oihan Sanz also stand out in midfield, capable of both creating chances and finishing off attacks on their own.
In pre-season friendlies, Athletic showed stable results, winning several games against strong opponents. This indicates that the team is in good physical shape and is ready for the start of the season. Valverde’s tactical developments have also proven their effectiveness, and the team is ready for the start of the championship.
Getafe before the match
Getafe, in turn, had a difficult last season, finishing only 12th, far away from the Euro-Caps zone. José Bordalás’ men will try to start the new championship more confidently so as not to repeat last year’s problems. However, an away match against a strong Athletic seems like a difficult task for the visitors, especially in the first round.
Getafe is known for its defensive tactics, which often bring results in home matches. However, on the road, the team often experiences problems during attacks. The key players for the visitors are experienced forward Mayoral and midfielder Carles Aleña. Much of the team’s game will depend on how successfully the team can resist the attacking potential of the hosts and use their few chances for counterattacks.
Getafe showed itself unsuccessfully in pre-season matches – not a single win. The team still demonstrates good organization and discipline, which is Bordalás’ calling card. However, problems with the implementation of moments still remain, and the coaching staff will have to find a solution to this problem.
Match prediction
The statistics of the personal meetings of these teams speak in favor of Athletic. In the last five matches at the San Mamés, the Basques have won three and drawn two. In addition, Athletic have not lost to Getafe at home since 2009. These statistics, as well as the home field factor and the higher class of the hosts’ players, give reason to assume that Athletic have a good chance of winning this match.
Taking into account all the above, the most likely outcome seems to be a victory for Athletic Bilbao. However, taking into account Getafe’s defensive style and the fact that this is the first match of the season, when the teams may not yet be in optimal shape, a large score should not be expected. The recommended bet on the match is that Athletic Bilbao win with a handicap of (-1). You can also consider a bet on the total under 2.5 goals, given the likelihood of a cautious game, which both coaches profess.
