Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Prediction: Expect a tight affair on Monday Night

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The final match of La Liga in 2025 takes place in Bilbao on Monday night. Surprise package Espanyol are in town to take on an underperforming Athletic side. 

Los Leones have struggled to get anything going in the final third this term. They've scored just 15 times in 17 league games, and only four times in a disappointing Champions League campaign. Even third-tier Ourense shut them out for more than 100 minutes in the Copa del Rey in midweek, before substitute Mikel Jauregizar fired in a late winner. 

Injuries have played a part in their struggles. However, key players have also underperformed. In the absence of a top striker, they've always been dependent on the Williams brothers out wide, and midfielder Oihan Sancet, for attacking inspiration. However, the trio have registered just five league goals between them so far this term, compared to 26 in all of last season. 

They've also struggled with the demands of playing Champions League football, with their squad lacking depth in a number of positions. With their transfer dealings always limited by the club's "Basque only" policy, Ernesto Valverde may feel as though he simply doesn't have the necessary tools to maintain a challenge on two fronts. 

Athletic did pick up their best result of the season in their last home league game, when they defeated Atlético Madrid 1-0 with Álex Berenguer firing in a late winner. They also held PSG to a goalless draw a few days after that in Europe, before slipping to a 2-0 defeat away to Celta Vigo last weekend in La Liga. 

Espanyol hold a seven-point advantage on their opponents heading into this match, and they also have a game in hand. That marks some turnaround from last season, when they finished with 28 fewer points than Athletic. 

The Catalans now have to be seen as genuine European contenders following a run of four straight league victories. They have defied all pre-season expectations to amass 30 points from their opening 16 matches. 

That's despite a total of just 10 goals from open play. They've specialised in set-piece strikes with centre-back Leandro Cabrera heading in the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Getafe last time out. Their previous two league fixtures also ended in 1-0 wins, with Manolo González's defence holding firm. 

It's four clean sheets in seven away league games for Espanyol. In contrast to their opponents, players across the pitch are stepping up and performing to the very best of their abilities. 

They are likely to experience a dip at some point in the second half of the season, but on current form the visitors have every reason to travel to the Basque Country believing they can get a result from this fixture. 

Team News: 

Athletic have got some significant defensive selection issues heading into this game. Dani Vivian is suspended, which is a problem given fellow centre-back Aymeric Laporte is already out injured. With Yeray Álvarez serving a controversial doping ban, Aitor Paredes is their only recognised central defensive option on Monday night. 

Midfielder Beñat Prados and forward Maroan Sannadi are out injured, but Iñaki Williams should be ready to make his first league start since October. 

Ramón Terrats is the only definite injury absentee for Espanyol, although forward Javi Puado is unlikely to be ready to start after a lengthy lay-off, even if he's deemed fit enough to make the matchday squad. 

Strikers Roberto Fernández and Kike García both started at Getafe last time out. However, Manolo may revert to playing with an extra midfielder in this match. The Espanyol boss will also have to cope without Charles Pickel, who is on AFCON duty with DR Congo.