Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao renew acquaintances on Sunday at RCDE Stadium, and the mid-table scrap means both sides are desperate for three points to nudge toward safety. Kickoff is set for 18:30 CET.
Recent form
Espanyol have won only once in their last seven La Liga outings (D3, L3), scoring a paltry four goals in that span. Home form offers a crumb of comfort—two wins and two clean sheets in the last five league matches in Cornella.
Athletic arrive unbeaten in four (W2, D2) and have kept three consecutive clean sheets for the first time since 2022. The Basques are just two points above their hosts, so a draw would essentially maintain the status quo.
Team news
Espanyol’s defensive lynchpin Leandro Cabrera is suspended after his fifth yellow, so 20-year-old academy centre-back Pau Cubarsí is set for a first league start. Veteran striker Joselu (8 goals) has shaken off a knock and partners Martin Braithwaite.
Athletic will again be without the injured Yuri Berchiche, meaning 19-year-old left-back Jon Sánchez keeps his place. Ernesto Valverde is expected to recall Nico Williams to the flank after a cameo off the bench last week, while Gorka Guruzeta leads the line ahead of Raúl García.
Tactical clash
Look for Valverde’s high press to target Espanyol’s makeshift centre-back pairing; Espanyol’s 4-2-3-1 morphs into a 4-4-2 without the ball, so Sergi Darder’s ability to spring Braithwaite on the break is vital. Athletic’s 4-3-3 relies on overlapping full-backs, but that could leave space for Espanyol’s wingers if the press is bypassed.
Key stat
Athletic have scored first in six of their last eight away matches; Espanyol have failed to win any of the last nine league games in which they conceded first.
Expected line-ups
Espanyol (4-2-3-1): P. López – Óscar Gil, Calero, Cubarsí, Brian Oliván – Edu Expósito, Souza – Rubén Sánchez, Darder, Braithwaite – Joselu.
Athletic (4-3-3): Agirrezabala – De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, J. Sánchez – Vesga, Zarraga, Muniain – N. Williams, Guruzeta, Berenguer.
Prediction
Athletic’s fresher legs and superior defensive shape should edge it, but Espanyol’s home crowd can squeeze a point if they weather the opening 20 minutes.
Score draw: Espanyol 1-1 Athletic Bilbao – both teams to score at 1.90 looks the smartest play, with under 2.5 goals an alternative at 1.70.
