Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla Predictions

• Athletic Bilbao lost their final six pre-season games
• Sevilla earned a point from this fixture last season and have lost just two of their last six trips to San Mames
• Both teams to score has been a winning bet in three of Sevilla’s last five La Liga games

Injuries have left Bilbao looking light

Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla were separated by 13 places and 29 points at the end of the 2024-25 La Liga season as the Basque outfit finished fourth and the struggling Andalusians beat the drop by a solitary point.

However, things may be much closer between the pair on the opening weekend of the new campaign because Bilbao are battling with numerous issues.

Key midfielder Oihan Sancet was injured in their friendly defeat to Liverpool, as was young defender Unai Egiluz, while star man Nico Williams has cut a frustrated figure in pre-season despite signing a new ten-year deal only last month.

Those problems could be evident in their opener against Sevilla, for which Bilbao are odds-on favourites.

Sevilla set to open on a positive note

Given Sevilla came away from the San Mames with a point last season and have only strengthened in the summer, it could pay to back the Andalusian visitors in the double-chance market.

Alfon Gonzalez and Gabriel Suazo are smart signings but perhaps their most important move was for manager Matias Almeyda, a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa who has had Sevilla playing some scintillating stuff in pre-season.

His high-intensity style could be just what Los Nervionenses need to unsettle Bilbao and they can earn a point in the Basque Country.