Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Predictions

• Bilbao won the reverse fixture 2-1.
• Bilbao have gone 18 games without keeping a clean sheet (all comps)
• Betis have conceded in five consecutive La Liga games.

European hopes in balance for Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao sit six points adrift of the European spots in La Liga and probably need to beat visitors Real Betis on Sunday if they are to stand any realistic chance of forcing their way into the qualification battle.

Betis come into the game after a Thursday night Europa League fixture and they are fifth in the standings, but they did lose to Bilbao in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and have struggled for wins on their travels with just four victories in 14 La Liga trips.

Bilbao look the more likely winners but they are in poor form and have lost their last three games, so the best angle here could be backing both teams to score.

The hosts have conceded in 18 consecutive games across all competitions and their last shut-out came against third tier opponents in the Copa del Rey. Clean sheets have also been an issue for Betis, with just one in their last seven and they’ve shipped 19 goals in total across their 14 trips. There have also been goals at both ends in five of the Lehoiak’s last seven home games and in four of Betis’ last six road games in La Liga.

Both teams have scored in each of the last five meetings between these sides and that pattern could continue on Sunday.

A 2-1 win for the hosts is the correct score prediction as the Basque club have won two of their last three at home in La Liga and Betis have failed to win three of their last four games after a European fixture, so Sunday represents a chance for Bilbao to bring an end to their winless streak and reignite their European push.