When Athletic Bilbao resumes their domestic campaign on Sunday afternoon at home against Sevilla, they will be looking to make it four straight victories in La Liga.
With 13 points from their first seven games of the season, the Basque team is presently fifth in the standings, while Sevilla is in 13th place with 8 points from their first seven games.
Athletic's 2024–25 La Liga campaign began with a lackluster four points from their first four games, but they have since risen up the standings with three consecutive victories over Las Palmas, Leganes, and Celta Vigo.
With seven games played, the Lions have 13 points, one point behind Villarreal in fourth place. They defeated Celta 3-1 last weekend to move up to fifth place in the league.
After that, Ernesto Valverde's team turned their focus to the Europa League, beginning their 2024–25 season with a 1–1 draw against Roma in Italy. The Basques managed to tie the score late on thanks to a goal from Aitor Parades.
Athletic were fifth in La Liga the previous year and will likely stay there for the majority of this campaign; however, it is unclear how Valverde will manage his obligations to Europe.
The Basque squad is now fifth in the rankings after seven games of the season with 13 points, while Sevilla is in 13th place after eight points from the same number of games.
Athletic started the 2024–25 La Liga season with just four points from their first four games, but they have since defeated Las Palmas, Leganes, and Celta Vigo three times in a row to move up the standings.
In 2023–24, the Basque squad defeated Sevilla twice in the league, including a 2-0 victory at San Mames in the latter part of the season.
This season, Sevilla is not in Europe; last season, they finished in 14th place in Spain's top division, which was their worst performance since they were demoted in 2000.
Los Nervionenses have likewise struggled to get going in 2024–25. With a record of two victories, two draws, and three losses, they have eight points and are now ranked 13th.
Athletic Bilbao will want to make it four wins in a row in La Liga when they return to action at home against Sevilla on Sunday afternoon.
Despite losing 2-1 to Alaves, Garcia Pimienta's team has managed to win two of their past three league games, defeating Getafe and Real Valladolid at home.
Last time out, Sevilla appeared to be splitting the points with Real Valladolid, but Chidera Ejuke scored the game's winning goal in the 85th minute to give the hosts the three points at Estadio Ramon.
Even though Sevilla lost both of their league games the previous season, they had recently defeated Athletic on the road, winning 1-0 at San Mames in April 2023.
After recuperating from an injury, Nico Williams played off the bench in Athletic's match against Roma. The Spain international is now anticipated to return to the starting lineup for this match.
The starting lineup versus Roma will be altered, and Oscar de Marcos and Adama Boiro will probably make a comeback this weekend.
After leading the line for Athletic in their 3-1 victory against Celta the previous weekend, Gorka Guruzeta, a Spaniard, will start at the front again for the Basque team, with Inaki Williams starting on the right.
Athletic Bilbao's and Sevilla's current record shows that neither side has a psychological edge over the other. Even though Athletic Club defeated Sevilla twice in the previous season, they had lost their previous four meetings against them.
The fact that this fixture has no draws is also intriguing. Out of the past eight encounters between the two teams, just one has concluded in a draw.
Since Nico Williams is the team's standout player, Athletic Bilbao does miss him when he isn't playing. Due to his outstanding achievements for Spain at Euro 2024, the 22-year-old gained widespread recognition during the summer, and he is now under pressure to perform well for his club.
