BETTING GUIDE: Athletic Bilbao vs Girona, Match Preview, Team News and Betting Tips
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 23.09.25. | 16:14
When Athletic Bilbao and Girona last met back on February 8th, Bilbao collected a routine 3-0 victory in the Basque Country
As LaLiga’s sixth round approaches, all eyes are on the Basque Country, where Athletic Bilbao will host Girona at San Mamés on Tuesday, 23 September.
For the hosts, this match offers a chance to regain momentum after a recent dip in form. Bilbao currently sits fifth in the league, but their recent results have been less than convincing.
For Girona, it is a much more desperate situation: rooted at the bottom of the table, plagued by injuries, suspensions, and defensive frailties, they are scrambling to turn things around.
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Bilbao started the season with a bang, winning their first three matches, but since then, they have struggled.
Ernesto Valverde’s men have lost three consecutive games, including disappointing defeats to Arsenal (2-0) in the Champions League and Valencia (2-0) in La Liga.
This dip in form has placed additional pressure on a squad that was expected to challenge for the top six.
Over the last 10 league matches, Bilbao have recorded 6 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
They have averaged 1.0 goals per game from 3.4 shots on target, and 10.3 attempts overall, while maintaining 48.4% possession.
Defensively, they have conceded 0.9 goals per match and allowed 4.4 corners per game.
Their record at home is strong, with six victories from their last 10 matches at San Mamés, though they have conceded 1.20 goals per game during this stretch.
Despite recent struggles, the hosts still boast several key players capable of turning the tide.
Aymeric Laporte, recently returned from Al-Nassr, will likely partner with Aitor Paredes at the heart of defense.
In attack, Iñaki Williams, though goalless this season, remains a key outlet with his pace and directness.
Oihan Sancet, playing in the number 10 role, will be crucial in dictating play.
Additionally, wingers Alex Berenguer and Robert Navarro provide width, and Mikel Vesga and Mikel Jauregizar offer defensive stability in midfield.
Valverde's 4-2-3-1 formation has been built around pressing high and exploiting wide spaces, which will likely expose Girona's defensive issues.
Girona’s situation is far more worrying.
They have just one point from their first five LaLiga matches, and their defensive woes have been well-documented.
They have shipped 15 goals in those five games, more than any other team in Spain’s top tier.
Last weekend, they were thrashed 4-0 by newly-promoted Levante, a result compounded by red cards to Axel Witsel and Vitor Reis, which have left them further depleted ahead of this match.
In the last 10 games, Girona have won just 2, lost 7, and drawn 1.
They have averaged a poor 0.6 goals per game from 3.6 shots on target, and 9.4 attempts.
Their defense has been even worse, conceding 2.3 goals per game from 5.9 shots on target, while allowing 14.7 attempts per match.
Away from home, Girona’s record has been abysmal: 1 win, 3 draws, and 6 losses in their last 10 matches, with an average of just 0.80 goals scored and 2.20 goals conceded per game.
With key players like Axel Witsel and Vitor Reis suspended, and others such as Ricard Artero, Juan Carlos, and Joel Roca injured, coach Michel may have to switch from his usual 4-3-3 formation to a more defensive 4-3-1-2 setup.
Veteran players like Daley Blind and goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga will need to step up, with the attacking threat coming from Yaser Asprilla and Vladyslav Vanat.
However, without a structured midfield and adequate width, Girona will struggle to cope with Bilbao’s attacking strength
Key Pointers
When Athletic Bilbao and Girona last met back on February 8th, Bilbao registered a routine 3-0 victory in the Basque Country.
Bilbao have lost all three of their appearances across all competitions since returning from September’s international break.
Girona have failed to win any of their first five La Liga appearances (four defeats, one draw).
Already shipping 15 goals in their first five LaLiga appearances, no team among Spain’s elite have shipped more goals than Girona.
Historically, matches between these two sides have been high-scoring, with their last five meetings averaging over 3.2 goals per game.
Given both teams’ struggles at the back, it is likely we will see another high-scoring encounter.
Given the high-scoring nature of previous meetings, betting on Over 2.5 Goals or Both Teams to Score (BTTS) seems like a strong option.
Final Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals or BTTS, the likely outcomes.
