Sevilla's Struggles and Bilbao's Resilience
Sevilla FC is currently navigating a challenging season, sitting 11th in the La Liga table with a record of 7 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses. Despite a recent 2-1 victory against Girona, their form has been inconsistent, with a worrying trend of not scoring in their last four matches. The team has also been dealing with off-field issues, including the arrest of defender Kike Salas and potential transfer moves involving key players like Kelechi Iheanacho and Loic Bade. These disruptions could impact their performance against Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao's Competitive Edge
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, has been performing relatively well, currently 8th in the league. Although they recently lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, their overall form has been stronger than Sevilla's. Historically, Bilbao has a competitive edge over Sevilla, having won 4 of their last 5 encounters. Their ability to score, particularly between the 31st and 45th minutes, could prove crucial in this matchup.
Head-to-Head Insights
When analyzing the head-to-head statistics, Sevilla has historically had the upper hand at home, winning 17 out of 33 matches. However, recent trends favor Athletic Bilbao, who have not lost to Sevilla in their last five La Liga meetings. The most common result between these two teams is a 1-1 draw, but given Sevilla's current scoring drought, a similar outcome seems unlikely.
Prediction and Betting Wisdom
Considering the current form and historical data, Athletic Bilbao appears to have the upper hand. Sevilla's inability to score in recent matches, coupled with Bilbao's resilience, suggests an away win is likely. Additionally, given both teams' recent struggles in front of goal, a scenario where both teams do not score seems plausible. For those looking to place a bet, an away win with a scoreline of 0-1 or 0-2 could be a wise choice.