Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Predictions

• Bilbao have lost just one of their last 22 home games
• Bilbao are unbeaten in their last five, winning three of them.
• Six of Bilbao’s nine games have ended with under 2.5 goals

Bilbao’s strong home form can continue

An 85th-minute equaliser courtesy of Aitor Paredes saw Bilbao leave Rome with a point in their first tie of the Europa League and they can get their first win on the board when AZ visit Bilbao.

Visitors AZ Alkmaar won their opening game 3-2 against Elfsborg and have had an electric start to the season, scoring 17 goals in their first seven league games.

However, they come up against a solid Bilbao side who have an excellent record at home, losing just once at San Mames Barria this year.

Bilbao tend to dominate games at home and limit the opposition’s chances, which should make it tricky for the Dutch side to get in a rhythm. AZ aren’t quite as stout defensively, and Bilbao should be able to carve out enough opportunities for them to get the win.

Bilbao should be able to control the match from the off, it would not be a shock to see them score a couple of goals in the first half, and see the rest of the match out comfortably.