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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga | Gameweek 1
Aug 15, 2022 at 4.30pm UK
San Mamés Barria
Mallorca logo

Athletic Bilbao
0 - 0
Mallorca

FT

Copete (22'), Battaglia (31'), Rodriguez (35'), Sanchez (66'), Kang-in (72'), Grenier (76')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca get their 2022-23 La Liga campaign underway with a fixture at San Mames on Monday.

The home side are looking to improve on last season's eighth-placed finish, while Mallorca are relieved to be spending another year in the top flight after their near miss with relegation.


Match preview

Ernesto Valverde pictured on January 9, 2020© Reuters

On the back of an eighth-placed finish in La Liga, Athletic would likely have kept Marcelino Garcia Toral in the dugout had he not made the decision to step down from his role.

However, the response to that disappointment has been the return of Ernesto Valverde, who begins his third stint at a club that has helped make his career.

In his two previous periods at Los Leones, Valverde has taken charge of 306 games, winning 140 of them, and it earned him his opportunity to become the head coach of Barcelona.

The 58-year-old has been absent from the dugout since January 2020, but he begins his 10th job full of motivation to earn European football for 2023-24.

Athletic enjoyed a productive pre-season, their solitary defeat in eight games coming at Newcastle United, and Valverde has the challenge of trying to get the best out of a squad which is currently weaker in comparison to last season's crop of players.

At one stage during the last campaign, Mallorca looked near certainties to be handed an immediate return back down to the second tier.

That was until seven points came from their final three fixtures, Javier Aguirre spearheading a revival which would see the club stay in the top flight by one point.

With Vedat Muriqi having turned his loan deal into a permanent stay, Mallorca look well equipped to build on that momentum under their well-travelled head coach.

Los Piratas appear to have enjoyed a strong period in the transfer market with goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic a notable addition between the sticks having signed from Reims.

Athletic Bilbao pre-season form:
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D

Mallorca pre-season form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D


Team News

Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre before the match on April 9, 2022© Reuters

With first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon on the sidelines, Ander Iruarrizaga is in line to feature between the sticks for Athletic.

Long-serving frontman Inaki Williams should lead the line, while Inigo Martinez will feature in defence after being linked with a switch to Barcelona earlier in the summer.

Meanwhile, Mallorca are set to be without Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who is expected to miss out through injury.

On the back of contributing five goals and three assists during the second half of last season, Muriqi should get the nod over Abdon Prats down the middle of the attack.

Pablo Maffeo, formerly of Manchester City, is also likely to be given a debut on the right-hand side of the backline.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Iruarrizaga; Marcos, Vivian, Martinez, Berchiche; Berenguer, Vencedor, Vesga, Muniain; I. Williams, Garcia

Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Gaya, Costa; Rodriguez, Sanchez, Baba, Lee; Muriqi


SM words green background

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Mallorca

Both teams will be motivated to make a positive impression on Monday, most notably Athletic because of their high-profile change in leadership. Mallorca may have their moments at San Mames, but we feel that the home side will edge this contest by the odd goal in three.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Written by
Darren Plant

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Game History

How you voted: Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca

Athletic Bilbao
81.7%
Draw
12.4%
Mallorca
5.9%
169
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Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez pictured in April 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe173771114-316
16AlavesAlaves174491928-916
17Leganes163671423-915
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19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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