Almeria vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Los Leones can feast on strugglers

It is incredible to think that with six months of the 2023-24 season gone, Almeria are still yet to win a La Liga game.

The Roijblancos have shown signs of improvement in recent defeats at Real Madrid and Valencia, while they also drew 0-0 against Girona.

However, they were outclassed 3-0 by Alaves in their last home game and look likely to be on the wrong end of the result against another Basque club, Athletic Bilbao, on Monday.

Los Leones are pushing for a European finish and showed how good they can be on the road by winning 1-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Team news

Almeria will be unable to call upon Luis Suarez, who has a thigh injury, while Leo Baptistao also misses out following his red card against Valencia.

Home boss Gaizka Garitano, who had three seasons in charge of Monday's opponents, may also be without Cesar Montes (knee), Ibrahima Kone (ankle) and Aleksandar Radovanovic (knock), who are all doubts.

Bilbao are sweating over the fitness of Nico Williams, who missed the win over Atletico due to a thigh issue.

His elder brother, Inaki, is expected to feature despite a recent foot problem, but Inigo Lekue (leg) is sidelined.

Match odds

Athletic are the 8/11 favourites to win on Monday, with Almeria 4/1 to finally win a league game and the draw available at 11/4.

Under 1.5 goals has been the case in Bilbao's last three away games and that outcome is priced at 11/4.

Athletic Bilbao to win to nil @ 15/8

Bilbao and their coach, Ernesto Valverde, appear to bring the best out of each other. After returning for a third spell in charge in 2022, Valverde guided the club to eighth in last season's La Liga and his side looks set for a higher finish this time around, with the added excitement of a potential Copa del Rey success.

They are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, while they have lost on the road just once since October.

Their last five away games in all competitions have resulted in a 'no' in the both teams to score market and that could be repeated against an Almeria side who have failed to score in their last four at the Power Horse Stadium.

Possessing the third-best defensive record in the division, Valverde will expect his side to hold their hosts at bay.

Athletic won October's reverse game 3-0, available at 12/1, while 2-0 is 15/2.

Oihan Sancet Anytime Goalscorer @ 11/4

Some players have a knack for netting against specific teams and Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet falls firmly into that category when facing Almeria.

After netting on his full international debut in October, the 23-year-old's form this season means he could be part of the Spain squad at the Euros and he stands out as a player to watch, having also scored in two of this pair's last three meetings.

Sancet's last goal came in January's Copa win over Barcelona and he is well priced to strike again against the worst defence in the league.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.