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

Upon the return from the international break, Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca will both look to extend strong starts to the La Liga season when they clash on Saturday.

The hosts come in with five points from their first three league outings, while their visitors have already earned seven points after winning promotion last season.

Match preview

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Athletic Bilbao impressed for the majority of last season, but a run of three straight defeats at the end of the campaign saw them eventually fall to a 10th-placed finish.

Marcelino's side will have headed into the new campaign with the hopes of another push for a top-nine finish and European qualification, but the season began in relatively disappointing fashion as they were held to a goalless draw by Elche.

The Basque outfit quickly bounced back to earn a far more commendable point against title-chasing Barcelona, as Inigo Martinez put Athletic ahead before Memphis Depay salvaged a point for the visitors.

That continued an impressive run for Los Leones of taking points from the Blaugrana, and they built on that with their first victory of the season before the international break, when they faced the tough test of a trip to Celta Vigo.

In a battle between last season's eighth and 10th-placed sides, Inaki Williams netted the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark to see his side head into the break with a commendable tally of five points from three games, and they will look to build on that upon their return to action with another victory on Saturday.

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They take on a Mallorca side who have adjusted quickly to life back in the top flight after winning promotion last season.

Saturday's visitors began the campaign with a tough home clash against Real Betis and came away with a commendable point after Brian Olivan's first-half opener was cancelled out by a Manolo Reina own goal on the hour mark.

They followed that up with a 1-0 away victory over Alaves, as Fer Nino netted the only goal of the game in the final 10 minutes.

Luis Garcia's side then made it back-to-back wins last time out heading into the international break, as Dani Rodriguez fired them to a 1-0 home victory over fellow-promoted side Espanyol.

Garcia's men will now look to continue their impressive start to life back in the top flight with what would be another eye-catching result.

Team News

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Athletic Bilbao have several issues to deal with, as Yuri Berchiche and Peru Nolaskoain will both certainly miss out after operations.

Meanwhile, Oscar de Marcos, Inigo Cordoba and Yeray Alvarez are also doubts coming into Saturday's game.

Inigo Martinez will return from international duty to play at the heart of a back four, while Marcelino should stick with his established front line, with Alex Berenguer and Iker Muniain operating on the flanks and Inaki Williams leading the line alongside Oihan Sancet.

Mallorca are also not without injury issues, as Antonio Sanchez and Angel Rodriguez will miss out, while Joan Sastre and Franco Russo are major doubts.

Left-back Jaume Costa has returned to full fitness, but he will struggle to displace Brian Olivan, who has impressed since coming into the team.

Villarreal loanee Fer Nino scored off the bench last time out, and he will be pushing to start after finding the net twice for Spain Under-21s in the international break.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; Capa, Martinez, Vivian, Balenziaga; Berenguer, Garcia, Vencedor, Muniain; Williams, Sancet

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Reina; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Olivan; Galarreta, Baba; Kubo, Rodriguez, Mboula; Nino

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Mallorca

With two of La Liga's unbeaten teams squaring off, this could be one of the weekend's games to watch, and we certainly expect a close encounter.

The hosts boast the better squad, and while Mallorca have been very impressive defensively so far, we would back Marcelino's men to find a way through and come away with a narrow victory.