Ath Bilbao Vs Leganes

Athletic Bilbao will be looking to solidify their position in the top four of La Liga when they host Leganes on Sunday evening in their continuing campaign for the 2024-25 season. With the club currently sitting in fourth place in Spain's premier division, Athletic Bilbao has accumulated 39 points from their first 20 matches, a position they will be eager to strengthen. In contrast, Leganes sits lower in the standings, in 15th place, with 22 points gathered from the same number of games.

Athletic Bilbao’s season so far has been impressive, showing great form in La Liga. With a record of 11 wins, six draws, and only three losses from their first 20 matches, they have firmly established themselves as a team with serious ambitions for the season. Their 39-point total has them tied with Barcelona in third place, which signifies their competitiveness in the upper echelon of Spanish football. Moreover, the Basque side has not only shown consistency in winning matches but also resilience in tough games, maintaining an overall positive record.

Under the guidance of head coach Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Bilbao has enjoyed a fantastic run that has them just seven points behind the league leaders, Real Madrid, making them contenders for the title. The team’s form has been steadily impressive, and they come into this match having secured a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo in their previous La Liga outing. This victory continued their remarkable unbeaten streak in league matches, which dates back to a 2-1 defeat to Girona earlier in October. Since that loss, the team has gone on to secure six wins in their last seven league encounters, proving that their consistency and quality on the pitch are strong.

However, despite their solid league performance, Athletic Bilbao has faced some setbacks in other competitions. In the Spanish Super Cup, they were defeated 2-0 by Barcelona in the semi-finals on January 8, 2025, ending their hopes of lifting that trophy. The following week, they faced another disappointment in the Copa del Rey, suffering a narrow 3-2 loss to Osasuna in a home tie that saw them exit the competition. While these defeats were certainly tough for the team, their league form remains a bright spot, and they are still positioned well for an extended push in La Liga.

Even after a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday, the situation is not dire for Athletic Bilbao. They remain in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages of the competition, sitting in third place in their group. Valverde’s men have shown a strong capability to bounce back from setbacks, and their focus will now turn to furthering their La Liga aspirations. Despite the midweek loss, the team will be determined to return to winning ways when they face Leganes.

Leganes, on the other hand, heads into the match as the clear underdogs. Positioned in 15th place in the La Liga standings, they have faced a challenging season, gathering just 22 points from 20 matches so far. Nonetheless, they enter this fixture with an impressive sense of confidence, buoyed by an unbeaten run in the early months of 2025. With four consecutive matches without a loss, including an incredible 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in their most recent match, Leganes will be hoping to carry that momentum forward into their visit to San Mames.

Leganes' win over Atletico Madrid was one of the most significant results of their season so far. Atletico Madrid, who had been on an impressive 15-match winning streak in all competitions, were stunned by Leganes in a game that saw Matija Nastasic score the only goal in the second half. The victory sent a clear message that Leganes is capable of pulling off upsets, and they will be confident in their ability to challenge Athletic Bilbao, especially after their recent strong form. 

Leganes has secured five wins, seven draws, and eight losses in their 20 La Liga matches so far, and they are three points above the relegation zone. Despite sitting in the lower half of the table, the team’s form in 2025 has been a positive sign. After winning the Segunda Division title in the previous season, securing a return to La Liga, they have had an encouraging campaign in their first season back in the top flight since 2019-2020. Their resilience and ability to secure crucial wins, such as their recent victory against Atletico Madrid and a 1-0 win over Barcelona earlier in the season, are testament to their quality.

One of the challenges that Leganes faces in this match is their previous encounter with Athletic Bilbao earlier in the season, when they were beaten 2-0 at home. While that defeat was disappointing for Leganes, they will draw some solace from their last visit to San Mames, where they secured a 2-0 victory in July 2020, during their previous spell in La Liga. Leganes will hope to repeat that performance, but they will face a much more formidable Athletic Bilbao side now, one that has been in impressive form throughout the season.

The task ahead for Leganes is certainly a difficult one. Athletic Bilbao has shown a level of consistency and quality that has placed them among the top teams in the league, while Leganes, despite their recent successes, still sits near the bottom of the table. However, in football, anything can happen, and the match at San Mames could be an exciting contest, especially with Leganes’ recent performances showing that they are capable of producing surprises.

Athletic Bilbao’s key players, including their attacking talisman Inaki Williams, who scored in their December 2024 match against Celta Vigo, will be crucial in this match. Williams has been in excellent form, and his pace and finishing ability make him a constant threat to any defense. Additionally, Athletic's solid defensive unit, with experienced players like Unai Simon in goal and the central defensive pairing of Iñigo Martínez and Yeray Álvarez, will be essential in ensuring that Leganes does not capitalize on any opportunities.

For Leganes, their main focus will be to contain the attacking power of Athletic Bilbao while also taking advantage of any opportunities on the counter. Players like Ruben Perez and Aitor Ruibal will play key roles in disrupting Athletic's rhythm and making sure that Leganes has a foothold in the game. If they can frustrate Athletic’s attacking players and exploit the spaces that may appear in transition, they will have a chance to secure a positive result.

In summary, this fixture between Athletic Bilbao and Leganes presents a clear contrast in terms of form and aspirations. Athletic Bilbao is firmly positioned in the top four of La Liga and will be aiming to continue their strong season and keep their title ambitions alive. Leganes, while struggling near the bottom of the table, has shown resilience and promise, especially in their recent form. While Athletic Bilbao will undoubtedly enter as the favorites, Leganes’ recent run of results has shown that they should not be underestimated, and they will look to spring an upset on their travels. This match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams having clear objectives for the remainder of the season.