Athletic Bilbao vs Las Palmas Prediction: Guruzeta to make another fast start at San Mames?

Two sides in terrific form meet at Estadio San Mames on Wednesday night (KO, 20:30), as Athletic Club host Las Palmas in their final La Liga fixture of the calendar year.

Las Palmas are currently ninth in the league after winning six of their last 10 games, and they can move to within four points of fifth-placed Athletic Club if they claim victory in Bilbao.

However, The Yellows have a big task on their hands to take points off the hosts, who have won six of their nine league games at San Mames this term, losing only to Real Madrid on the opening gameweek in August.

Team News

Minimal changes are expected in the Athletic starting XI after a superb 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday made it seven games unbeaten in La Liga.

Iker Munain could return to the squad after missing the weekend win through illness, but there are doubts over the availability of Oscar de Marcos, who also sat out against Atleti, while Yeray Alvarez, Dani Garcia and Inigo Ruiz de Galaretta are all ruled out.

On the other side, Las Palmas will have to make do without midfielder Kirian Rodriguez after the Spaniard picked up a fifth booking of the league campaign on Sunday.

Alberto Moleiro came off injured at half-time of that 1-1 draw with Cadiz and will be absent in Bilbao, while Fabio Gonzalez is still out with an ankle issue.

Sergi Cardona looks set to return in defence, though, after suspension ruled him out against Cadiz.

Match Odds

Athletic come into this one as strong favourites to pick up three points at 4/11, with a victory for the visitors at 15/2 and the draw priced at 18/5.

Both teams to score is available at EVS and it's 8/11 for over 2.5 goals.

Athletic Bilbao to win and both teams to score @ 11/5

The Lions' home record last season was poor by their standards as they picked up just 27 points from 19 games, but they've turned it around this season and should be confident of making it 23 points from 10 on Wednesday night.

Goals have been no issue for them at San Mames - they've scored 24 goals there, three more than the next best (Real Madrid and Girona - 21) have managed at their own grounds.

Seven out of their nine home games have seen at least three goals scored, with an Athletic win and BTTS landing in six. That's also because of deficiencies in defence, though - they've conceded the most goals at home (11) in La Liga's top 10, though they have kept a clean sheet in their last two there.

Las Palmas have hardly been free-scoring on the road - only Alaves (four) have struck fewer times away from home - but all six of their goals have arrived in their last five, so they are showing signs of improvement in that department, and 11/5 for an Athletic win and BTTS looks good value in midweek.

Gorka Guruzeta to score first @ 4/1

Just under half (16/33) of Athletic's league goals this season have been scored by either Inaki Williams or Gorka Guruzeta, with each on eight. It's the latter who has been more prolific at home, though, with seven of his strikes coming at San Mames.

The 27-year-old also has form for being the first name of the scoresheet - four of his goals have been the first of the game, including in Athletic's last two in Bilbao.

Guruzeta looks a solid price at 4/1 to break the deadlock again on Wednesday.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.