Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal Prediction 08.12.2024 | LaLiga

• Competition: LaLiga
• Date: 08.12.2024
• Kickoff: 15:15 UK / 16:15 CET
• Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao)

One of the several derbies ahead of us in round 16 of La Liga.

Athletic Bilbao is looking forward to this match after a huge 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. The Basques survived a disallowed goal for Real Madrid, a missed chance from Kylian Mbappé, and several other tough situations, ultimately claiming what was their most valuable win of the season. The hero for the team was substitute Gorka Guruzeta, who took advantage of a defensive error from the visitors just two minutes after Real Madrid's equalizer and scored a goal worth three points. That victory moved Bilbao up to 4th place on the table with 29 points.

Villarreal is also having a great season. The Yellow Submarine currently holds 5th place on the table with 26 points, having played two fewer matches than their rivals. Last week, they played to back-to-back 2-2 draws. In a thrilling match against Girona, they were denied a victory in the 97th minute when Ladislav Krejci scored from the edge of the box, silencing 23,000 fans at El Madrigal.

Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal pick: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

Matches between these two teams are traditionally full of excitement. In recent years, they’ve often ended in draws, with both teams scoring at least once. Only one of the last eight encounters did not finish with such a result. Villarreal experienced a shocking elimination in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 on Wednesday, losing to lower-league side Pontevedra, and they will take the field in this match highly motivated to redeem themselves for that embarrassment.