Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Eibar - prediction, team news, lineups

Saturday's La Liga action kicks off with a Basque derby between relegation-threatened Eibar and regional heavyweights Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames.

Eibar could find themselves at the bottom of the table if they lose on Saturday and other results go against them, while Athletic could finish the weekend in eighth place, in hot pursuit of the division's highly coveted European spots.

Match preview

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Despite having lost their last two games against Basque opposition in La Liga, Marcelino's high-flying Athletic side have still only lost one of their 13 top-flight matches against Eibar, so they will be looking to come away with all three points this weekend.

Marcelino's men slumped to a 0-0 draw against Celta Vigo last time out in La Liga, with the team registering just one shot on target and only managing to retain 34% of possession.

The result, which followed a 2-1 league loss to Atletico Madrid just days earlier, dampened the buoyant mood at the Basque club, but a win against Eibar would certainly turn things around.

Athletic are currently 11th in the standings and will be expecting to finish much higher in the table.

Fortunately for Marcelino, Athletic have not lost any of their last four home games in the league, which is their longest unbeaten streak at home this season.

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Jose Luis Mendilibar's 19th-placed Eibar side have now failed to win any of their last ten La Liga games, a run that has seen them come up against a host of relegation rivals such as Real Valladolid, Elche, Huesca and Cadiz.

In spite of the team's string of dismal performances and the reality of relegation looming, the club's hierarchy once again offered their "full support and trust" to Mendilibar, who is now expected to stay at the club until at least the end of the season.

Last Sunday, Eibar were comfortably dispatched 3-1 by Villarreal, who managed to end their own winless streak against Mendilibar's men.

Los Armeros veteran Sergi Enrich bagged a goal for his side in that tie, but Villarreal ultimately proved to be much the better side, with Moi Gomez, Carlos Bacca and Alfonso Pedraza all finding the net for the Yellow Submarine.

There is an air of defeat about this Eibar side and a sense that the team have accepted their fate. A shock win on Saturday could galvanise Los Armeros and offer their fans the thinnest glimmer of hope.

Team News

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Marcelino will be able to call upon defensive stalwart Inigo Martinez, who has now served out his three-game suspension, and the 29-year-old Spaniard will likely reclaim his spot in the heart of the defence.

Absentees for Athletic include defender Ander Capa due to a hip injury and midfielder Peru Nolaskoain, who is unavailable due to COVID-19.

Mendilibar will have to make do without defenders Pedro Bigas and Roberto Correa, with both out nursing muscular injuries.

Enrich, who proved effective against Villarreal, is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting 11, with Takashi Inui likely to be benched for this tie.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Nunez, Martinez, Berchiche; Berenguer, Lopez, Vesga, Muniain; Williams, R. Garcia

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Pozo, Oliveira, Arbilla, Angel; Leon, Diop, Exposito, Gil; Enrich, Kike

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Eibar

It is difficult to see Eibar coming away with anything from this encounter, with Athletic looking the much more convincing outfit. We are going with a home win and goals from Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain.