Overview
Athletic Bilbao has made significant marks in Ernesto Valverde's third term, notably the Copa del Rey 2024 championship and a place in the top 4 in the 2024-2025 season.
However, they cannot maintain that standard in the current season, and the decision to part ways with the Spanish strategist at the end of the season has been decided.
Although still having a chance to narrow the 6-point gap with the European Cup group, Bilbao must also be wary of the risk of being pulled closer to the relegation zone when their form plummets. The Basque team has lost 4 of their last 5 matches, including a 1-2 home defeat to Villarreal, even though Gorka Guruzeta managed to score a late consolation goal.
Los Leones are currently facing the risk of losing 2 consecutive home matches in La Liga for the first time since April-May 2023. However, head-to-head history partly brings confidence as they have only lost 1 in their last 10 encounters with Osasuna in La Liga (4 wins, 5 draws).
In the opposite direction, Osasuna entered the away match with a relatively safe position. Alessio Lisci's team is 7 points ahead of the relegation group and only 5 points behind the top 6, still having a chance to compete.
Osasuna's form is not too outstanding when they have only won 1/6 recent matches, but they maintain stability with a 3-match unbeaten streak. After a minimal victory against Girona, they have drawn 2-2 and 1-1 respectively in recent matches. In which, Ante Budimir continues to play the leading role with an equalizer from a penalty against Real Betis.
Despite having a home record in the top 5 of La Liga, Osasuna showed a completely opposite face when playing away from home. They only won 10 points after 16 away matches, ranking in the worst group of the league.
With only 2 away wins since the beginning of the season, the chance for Osasuna to have their first triumph at San Mames since 2020 is not high. However, in the context of Athletic Bilbao being unstable, the away team can completely think of a positive result if they take advantage of the opportunity well.
Personnel situation
Athletic Bilbao is still unable to have the service of midfielder Benat Prados, who is in the recovery phase after a anterior cruciate ligament injury.
In defense, Antoni Gorosabel is likely to be given the opportunity to start instead of Inigo Lekue, after leaving a certain mark when coming on as a substitute in the narrow defeat to Villarreal.
In attack, Nico Williams is expected to continue to be in the starting lineup. This player has just experienced a long period of injury break, in a difficult season for him personally.
On the other side, Osasuna also does not have the optimal force. They continue to be without Iker Benito due to a long-term knee injury.
In addition, Asier Osambela will have to serve his second suspension match, while Alejandro Catena is absent due to suspension after receiving enough yellow cards.
Positive news for Osasuna is the return of Flavian Boyomo after suspension, thereby helping them have more replacements in the center of the defense.
With a weak force situation on both sides, the match at San Mames promises to depend heavily on the rotation and take advantage of opportunities of each team.
Expected lineup:
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche, Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams, Guruzeta.
Osasuna: Herrera, Rosier, Boyomo, Herrando, Galan, Moncayola, I. Munoz, Garcia, Oroz, V. Munoz, Budimir.
The match between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna takes place at 0:00 a.m. on April 22 (Vietnam time).
