Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

• Bilbao opened the new season with a 3-2 win over Sevilla.
• Bilbao have won four of their last five La Liga games.
• Rayo Vallecano have scored in six of their last seven games.

Bilbao may concede in victory

Athletic Bilbao entertain Rayo Vallecano in the first of one of two La Liga games on Monday and both sides are looking to continue their respective positive starts to the new season.

Bilbao picked up a 3-2 win over Sevilla, while Rayo won 3-1 at Girona and followed that up by beating Neman 1-0 in Belarus in the Conference League.

The visitors do have the second leg of that qualifier to come on Thursday but that shouldn’t be a huge issue given they hold a lead, although getting a result at San Mames looks a big ask regardless for the visitors.

The best option looks to be backing Bilbao to win and both teams to score. The hosts have picked up where they left off after a strong finish last season, winning three of their final four games, and they did the league double over Rayo last term.

Bilbao did concede in both of their wins over Rayo last term, however, and the visitors are in good scoring form. The Madrid-based club have only failed to score in one of their last seven games and can at least record a consolation effort against a Bilbao side that conceded twice against Sevilla.

A 3-1 win for Bilbao is the correct score prediction as when Bilbao win at home they usually do so in style. Scoring exactly three goals in their last nine home wins.

Nico Williams endured an injury hit finish last season but has started the new campaign strongly with a goal and an assist against Sevilla. He stands out as a potential scorer ahead of this La Liga clash.