Bright Beginnings
Villarreal have made an excellent start to the Primera Division season and remain in touch with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit of the table, despite losing ground last weekend. At El Madrigal on Sunday, they’ll have their work cut out to pick up maximum points against an Athletic Bilbao side it is rarely easy to overcome.
Last weekend Juan Carlos Garrido’s men would have been wishing the Yellow Submarine wasn’t simply a nickname as they could really have used one during a downpour in their encounter against Sporting de Gijon. The heavy pitch at El Molinon did not suit their passing style of play, yet they managed to battle to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to a last gasp penalty from Giuseppe Rossi.
The draw meant they dropped three points behind leaders los Blancos, but by the same token they remain comfortably in the top four, five points ahead of fifth-placed Espanyol. Realistically, Villarreal can only third as the resources of the ‘Big Two’ would appear much too great to allow them to last the pace over a 38-game season.
Their European campaign continues to stutter somewhat, however. Defeated 1-0 by PAOK, the Spaniards sit third in Group D, a point worse off than Dinamo Zagreb and the Greeks. Having selected a largely fringe side in midweek, it’s clear where Garrido is placing his emphasis, so he will not want Thursday’s sacrifice to go entirely to waste as they chase a top four spot.
A Win At Last
While Sunday’s hosts are dreaming of Champions League football next season, Athletic Bilbao are merely concerned about stationing themselves in the top flight in such a manner so that they have an opportunity to challenge for the Europa League spots at the end of the campaign.
Joaquin Caparros’ side are going about their business steadily, with wins interspersed by a similar number of defeats.
Once thing Athletic certainly haven’t been short on this term is goals. They’ve yet to be shut-out by any opponents and are in excellent touch in attack, having managed eight in their last three games. This hasn’t always been enough to guarantee success, as they went down 4-3 against Sevilla, but Getafe were defeated in some style last weekend.
“We had a lot of rhythm and created plenty of chances,” Caparros told AS after watching goals from Iraola, Mikel San Jose and Igor Gabilondo get the better of the capital side.
If Real Madrid and Barcelona are excluded, Athletic are, along with Villarreal, the highest scoring side in La Liga. Seemingly at the peak of their powers at present, the Basque side will be hoping to pick up three points at the weekend in what is likely to be a highly entertaining affair.
Villarreal have made an excellent start to the Primera Division season and remain in touch with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit of the table, despite losing ground last weekend. At El Madrigal on Sunday, they’ll have their work cut out to pick up maximum points against an Athletic Bilbao side it is rarely easy to overcome.
Last weekend Juan Carlos Garrido’s men would have been wishing the Yellow Submarine wasn’t simply a nickname as they could really have used one during a downpour in their encounter against Sporting de Gijon. The heavy pitch at El Molinon did not suit their passing style of play, yet they managed to battle to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to a last gasp penalty from Giuseppe Rossi.
The draw meant they dropped three points behind leaders los Blancos, but by the same token they remain comfortably in the top four, five points ahead of fifth-placed Espanyol. Realistically, Villarreal can only third as the resources of the ‘Big Two’ would appear much too great to allow them to last the pace over a 38-game season.
Their European campaign continues to stutter somewhat, however. Defeated 1-0 by PAOK, the Spaniards sit third in Group D, a point worse off than Dinamo Zagreb and the Greeks. Having selected a largely fringe side in midweek, it’s clear where Garrido is placing his emphasis, so he will not want Thursday’s sacrifice to go entirely to waste as they chase a top four spot.
A Win At Last
While Sunday’s hosts are dreaming of Champions League football next season, Athletic Bilbao are merely concerned about stationing themselves in the top flight in such a manner so that they have an opportunity to challenge for the Europa League spots at the end of the campaign.
Joaquin Caparros’ side are going about their business steadily, with wins interspersed by a similar number of defeats.
Once thing Athletic certainly haven’t been short on this term is goals. They’ve yet to be shut-out by any opponents and are in excellent touch in attack, having managed eight in their last three games. This hasn’t always been enough to guarantee success, as they went down 4-3 against Sevilla, but Getafe were defeated in some style last weekend.
“We had a lot of rhythm and created plenty of chances,” Caparros told AS after watching goals from Iraola, Mikel San Jose and Igor Gabilondo get the better of the capital side.
If Real Madrid and Barcelona are excluded, Athletic are, along with Villarreal, the highest scoring side in La Liga. Seemingly at the peak of their powers at present, the Basque side will be hoping to pick up three points at the weekend in what is likely to be a highly entertaining affair.
TEAM NEWS
Villarreal
Marcos Senna and Marcos Ruben both missed the midweek trip to Greece due to injuries due to muscular problems, and both must have question marks over their participation at the weekend.
Gonzalo Rodriguez is suspended after being dismissed last weekend.
Athletic
It’s looking likely that los Leones will be without centre-backs Fernando Amorebieta and Aitor Ocio due to injury problems, which will give coach Joaquin Caparros little choice but to go with an unchanged back four.
The unfortunate Ibai Gomez and Igor Martinez will be sidelined too.
Villarreal
Marcos Senna and Marcos Ruben both missed the midweek trip to Greece due to injuries due to muscular problems, and both must have question marks over their participation at the weekend.
Gonzalo Rodriguez is suspended after being dismissed last weekend.
Athletic
It’s looking likely that los Leones will be without centre-backs Fernando Amorebieta and Aitor Ocio due to injury problems, which will give coach Joaquin Caparros little choice but to go with an unchanged back four.
The unfortunate Ibai Gomez and Igor Martinez will be sidelined too.
Prediction
With an aggregate of 34 goals scored between them, there should certainly be plenty of action in the weekend’s encounter. Traditionally Villarreal are strong at El Madrigal while Athletic Bilbao are more fragile on the road, and this may prove decisive come the final whistle on Sunday.
Villarreal 3-2 Athletic Bilbao 
