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

Getafe will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they continue their 2020-21 campaign at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.

The capital club have only picked up two points from their last four matches during a poor run to drop down into 11th spot in the table, but Athletic have risen to eighth courtesy of two wins from their last three fixtures.

Match preview

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Getafe have struggled for consistency in the early stages of the 2020-21 La Liga season, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine fixtures to collect 12 points, which has left them in 11th position.

Jose Bordalas's side have finished fifth and eighth respectively in their last two La Liga campaigns and will be keen to push towards the Europa League spots once again; a 1-0 victory over Barcelona on October 17 would have boosted confidence in the squad, but they are now winless in their last four matches.

The capital side have lost to Granada and Villarreal in their last two home league games, in addition to drawing with Valencia and Eibar on the road.

Bordalas will be desperate for his side to return to winning ways on Sunday, and Getafe's recent record over Athletic is impressive, triumphing in two of their last three league meetings, while they have not lost to the Basque outfit in Spain's top flight since January 2016.

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Athletic have won four and lost five of their nine league matches this season to collect 12 points, leaving them eighth in the table, only two points behind fifth-placed Cadiz with a game in hand.

Gaizka Garitano's side are currently on a positive run of form, having won three of their last five in the league, including a thumping 4-0 success at home to Real Betis last weekend.

Athletic also beat Sevilla on home soil at the end of October but have found it difficult to secure strong results on the road, losing each of their last three to Alaves, Osasuna and Real Valladolid.

The Basque outfit finished down in 11th last season and will certainly be hopeful of pushing towards the top eight in 2020-21, although it remains to be seen whether their squad is strong or indeed deep enough to seriously challenge for a possible return to European football.

Getafe La Liga form: LWLDLD

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form: LWLWLW

Team News

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Getafe will again be without the services of central midfielder Nemanja Maksimovic through injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape in terms of absentees for Sunday's contest.

David Timor should again line up alongside Mauro Arambarri in the middle of the park, while Cucho Hernandez is likely to retain his spot alongside Jaime Mata in the final third of the field.

Angel and Enes Unal are both options for change, but it seems likely that Bordalas will stick with the same XI that started the goalless draw with Eibar last time out.

As for Athletic, Yuri Berchiche is facing a spell on the sidelines with a muscular injury, meaning that Mikel Balenziaga should come into the starting XI on Sunday.

Garitano could decide to stick with the side that started the four-goal win over Betis, with Asier Villalibre keeping his spot in the final third and Raul Garcia being named on the bench.

Iker Muniain and Inaki Williams should both feature, while Unai Vencedor could get the nod over Dani Garcia and Unai Lopez to feature in the middle of the park.

Getafe possible starting lineup: Soria; Suarez, Dakonam, Chema, Olivera; Nyom, Timor, Arambarri, Cucurella; Mata, Hernandez

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup: Simon; Capa, Alvarez, Martinez, Balenziaga; Vencedor, Vesga; Williams, Muniain, Berenguer; Villalibre

We say: Getafe 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

Getafe will be determined to return to winning ways this weekend, and we fancy the home side to edge a tight match. Athletic's recent form has been impressive, but the Basque side still have problems on the road, and we can see Garitano's team suffering more away misery in the Spanish capital.

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