Leganes vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Leganes vs Athletic Club predictions for this midweek La Liga affair. Leganes host Athletic Bilbao at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on Thursday in their sixth game of the 2024-25 La Liga season, as both teams aim to build momentum. Continue reading to get our free predictions and betting tips for this game.

Champions League | League Stage | Sep 19, 2024 at 6pm UK at Estadio Municipal de Butarque

Leganes vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Will Athletic Bilbao Have the Upper Hand Over Struggling Leganes?

• Leganes’ attacking struggles: The hosts have found the net only three times in five La Liga matches this season, averaging just 0.6 goals per game. This inability to consistently threaten opposition defences has seen them drop points in their last two matches without scoring.
• Bilbao’s strong away attack: Athletic Bilbao have scored four goals in their two away fixtures this season. Despite their patchy form on the road, they’ve demonstrated an ability to break through against weaker defences, and Leganes’ leaky backline could be next.
• Defensive vulnerabilities on both sides: Both teams have conceded goals at a rate of around one per game this season, but Athletic Bilbao’s superior organisation has resulted in fewer errors leading to goals, which could be a decisive factor in Thursday’s match.

Best Bet

Leganes are set to host Athletic Bilbao in their sixth match of the 2024-25 La Liga season at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. As the two sides prepare for Thursday’s encounter, both will be looking to capitalise on their respective positions in the league table. Leganes, currently 15th with five points, will hope to bounce back from a series of disappointing results. Athletic Bilbao, sitting in 10th place with seven points, aim to continue their push towards the top half of the table.

For Leganes, this is their first season back in Spain’s top flight since 2019-20. After a promising start, where they picked up five points from their first three matches, things have begun to unravel. Back-to-back defeats have left the team struggling for form, with little to show in the attacking department. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao, under Ernesto Valverde’s leadership, have had a mixed start. A tough fixture list has seen them face two of La Liga’s strongest sides, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but they come into this match off the back of an impressive win over Las Palmas.

The standout bet for this clash is an outright victory for Athletic Bilbao. Despite their inconsistent form, Bilbao have shown flashes of quality that suggest they will be too strong for Leganes, who are on a downward spiral after their early-season form evaporated. Bilbao’s away form may not be stellar, but their ability to grind out results when needed should give them the edge here.

Leganes have struggled offensively throughout the season, scoring just three goals in five matches. With a poor shot conversion rate and only one clean sheet so far, it’s clear that their issues extend across both ends of the pitch. The team averages only 0.6 goals per game and has been toothless in recent fixtures. Even more concerning is the fact that they managed only three shots in their most recent outing against Real Betis, two of which were speculative long-range efforts. Leganes also average just 7.8 shots per game, with only 2.4 on target, making it hard to see them breaking down a Bilbao side that, while defensively shaky at times, has enough about them to keep out this low-powered attack.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are averaging 1.2 goals per game and have demonstrated a sharper attacking edge. Players like Nico Williams have been crucial, and despite the absence of Jauregizar due to suspension, their midfield strength remains intact with Benat Prados likely to step in. With six goals scored across five matches, Bilbao’s ability to create and convert chances, even in difficult situations, makes them the favourites for this contest.

The form of Bilbao’s forward line, particularly the Williams brothers and Guruzeta, could prove decisive in breaking down a Leganes side that lacks composure in defence. Bilbao also have the second-highest average for successful dribbles per game (9.8), which indicates their ability to stretch Leganes and exploit spaces in transition. BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa summed up the situation aptly:

“Leganes have lost their way offensively and will find it tough to keep Bilbao at bay. With the visitors carrying more firepower, especially from players like Nico Williams, it’s hard to see Leganes holding out for long. Bilbao should take all three points here with relative ease.”

Another factor to consider is Athletic Bilbao’s solid performances away from home. Although they’ve lost six of their last 12 away matches, this record must be viewed in context – many of those defeats came against top-tier opposition. Against a side like Leganes, who have looked increasingly vulnerable at home, Bilbao should have enough to secure a comfortable victory.

Correct Score Prediction: Leganes 0-2 Athletic Bilbao

Based on the form and statistical analysis, a 2-0 victory for Athletic Bilbao looks to be the most likely outcome. Leganes’ struggles in front of goal, coupled with their limited ability to create high-quality chances, suggest they will once again come up short in terms of scoring. They’ve netted only 0.6 goals per game this season, and that number doesn’t seem likely to improve against Bilbao’s solid, if not spectacular, defence.

Bilbao’s ability to score on the road is also noteworthy. Despite their mid-table position, they’ve managed to score four goals in their two away matches this season. Their attacking prowess, particularly in wide areas through the Williams brothers, should trouble Leganes’ defence, which has conceded an average of one goal per game.

The absence of key defensive figures such as Yeray Alvarez might raise concerns for Bilbao, but Julen Agirrezabala in goal should be capable of dealing with what little Leganes will throw at him. In the end, the visitors’ greater cutting edge in the final third should see them through comfortably, and a 2-0 win seems a fair reflection of the disparity between the two teams at this stage.

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