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Elche
La Liga | Gameweek 38
May 22, 2021 at 5pm UK
Martinez Valero
Athletic Bilbao logo

Elche
2 - 0
Athletic Bilbao

Boye (28'), Guti (73')
Mfulu (33'), Piatti (58'), Guti (74')
FT(HT: 1-0)

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

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

It is crunch time for relegation-threatened Elche, who will host Athletic Bilbao on the last day of the La Liga season knowing that their top-flight status very much hangs in the balance.

The mission for Fran Escriba's Elche is simple: pick up all three points against their Basque visitors and pray results are favourable elsewhere.


Match preview

Elche's Dani Calvo celebrates scoring their first goal with Cifu on March 13, 2021© Reuters

Elche looked down and out not so long ago, but a shock 3-1 win away to Cadiz has put Escriba's men very much back in contention for La Liga survival, with the team now neck-and-neck with 17th-placed Huesca.

With four sides competing for survival on the last day of the season, to say things are looking tense would be an understatement.

Elche have lost their last two La Liga encounters against Athletic and have not suffered three consecutive defeats against them since September 1964.

Fortunately for Elche, Escriba has won two of his last three clashes against Athletic.

It will be a tall order for Elche to get the better of Athletic, but there is no doubt that Escriba's embattled side will give it a shot.

Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelino reacts on April 3, 2021© Reuters

After a mesmerising run of form following the appointment of Marcelino earlier this season, Athletic's season appears to have plateaued in recent weeks.

Marcelino's men have lost their last two league outings, with Huesca and Real Madrid both beating them 1-0.

Currently ninth in the standings, Athletic have picked up eight points from their last six league games.

If Athletic emerge victorious this weekend, they will achieve a La Liga double against Elche for just the fourth time, and the first since 1970.

Elche La Liga form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W


Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L



Team News

Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on April 25, 2021© Reuters

Escriba will be without defender Johan Mojica, who is out with a muscular injury.

Guti is expected to retain his spot in the heart of the midfield after serving his suspension.

The biggest loss for Marcelino will be skipper Iker Muniain, who is unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury.

Other absentees for Athletic include Ander Capa and Yuri Berchiche, who are both out injured.

Elche possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Barragan, Gonzalo, Gonzalez; Josan Fernandez, Guti, Mfulu, Fidel, Piatti; Pere Milla, Boye

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Alvarez, Martinez, Balenziaga; Alex Berenguer, D Garcia, Vencedor, Morcillo; Williams, Sancet


SM words green background

We say: Elche 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

While three points for Elche would certainly be a fairytale end to the campaign for the club, we think Athletic will prove to be too much for Escriba's men. Elche made a splash when they beat Cadiz last time out, and we are not sure they will be able to do the same against Athletic.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Athletic Bilbao win with a probability of 47.02%. A draw had a probability of 26.8% and a win for Elche had a probability of 26.18%.

The most likely scoreline for an Athletic Bilbao win was 0-1 with a probability of 12.79%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (9.09%) and 1-2 (8.97%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (12.62%), while for a Elche win it was 1-0 (8.89%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with a 4.4% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Elche vs Athletic Bilbao

Elche
37.7%
Draw
9.4%
Athletic Bilbao
52.8%
53
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leganes32178747212659
2Espanyol321411749351453
3ElcheElche3215893528753
4EibarEibar321571049371252
5Real ValladolidValladolid32156113831751
6Racing de SantanderRacing32148105145650
7Sporting GijonSporting Gijon32131093629749
8Burgos32147114041-149
9Real Oviedo321212840281248
10Racing Club de FerrolRacing de Ferrol32121283937248
11Levante32111473937247
12Eldense321012104042-242
13TenerifeTenerife32119122931-242
14Huesca32913102822640
15Real ZaragozaZaragoza32911122829-138
16CartagenaCartagena32108143142-1138
17MirandesMirandes32910133744-737
18AlcorconAlcorcon3289152443-1933
19Albacete32711143747-1032
20Amorebieta3279162639-1330
21Villarreal II3279162948-1930
22FC AndorraFC Andorra3278172440-1629


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