Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo

Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo Preview

There's just the one game being played in the Spanish top flight on Friday night but nevertheless it is one that holds importance for teams at either end of the La Liga table as fifth placed Athletic Bilbao take on third from bottom club, Celta Vigo, at the San Mamés Barria with the hosts looking to capture back-to-back wins while Celta Vigo will be desperate to halt a winless run of eight league matches.

Athletic Bilbao maintained their quest for a possible top four finish in this season's La Liga as they recorded a welcome 3-2 win away from home at Villarreal last weekend which helped Ernesto Valverde's side up into fifth spot and he'll be hoping this upcoming visit from Celta Vigo will give his side the perfect opportunity to grab another three important points.

The bigger picture also paints a promising outlook for Athletic Bilbao as the hosts have been handed just two defeats from their last 11 matches overall in the Spanish top flight, both of which were away from home at Real Sociedad and Barcelona, but they have also captured six wins in the process as well.

Athletic Bilbao also bring a five-match unbeaten run at home into this encounter too.

Following a dismal run of eight matches without a win in the domestic top flight, Friday night's visitors, Celta Vigo, find themselves in the bottom three of the table and therefore the relegation zone ahead of this weekend's fixtures in La Liga and a tough looking trip to the San Mamés Barria to take on high-flying Athletic Bilbao.

Celta Vigo have managed to pick up just the one win throughout the early stages of this new La Liga campaign which came in the form of a 3-2 win on the road at bottom placed club, Almeria, while the visitors have also been dealt no fewer than seven defeats within their opening 12 games overall.

Results away from home have seen Celta Vigo having to endure something of a fairly lean period as Rafa Benitez's side have recorded just one win from their previous 11 outings on the road but having also been handed eight defeats within this period as well, the visitors' prospects do not look good at all for this upcoming clash.

In addition, Celta Vigo have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 away games too.

Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo Verdict

Although Athletic Bilbao have not always had their own way in recent previous exchanges against Celta Vigo, picking up just two wins in the last six meetings, Friday night's hosts do look to hold the upper hand in this upcoming clash especially as they have built some good momentum at home lately.

Therefore, our main bet will be Athletic Bilbao win @ 1.53

Other side bets worth considering:

Athletic Bilbao win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.40

Correct Score: Athletic Bilbao 3-1 @ 13.00