The La Liga Matchday 25 clash between Athletic Bilbao and Elche CF will take place on 20 February at San Mames in Bilbao. Athletic Bilbao vs Elche CF: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Athletic Bilbao
In the previous round, the team came from behind to claim an away win over Real Oviedo (2:1). That result meant Athletic Bilbao have finally won back-to-back La Liga matches for the first time since August last year. Not so long ago, the Basque side went six league games without taking all three points. Now, however, the club have gone unbeaten in La Liga since the start of February and have collected seven points from a possible nine. As a result, the team have climbed to ninth in the standings and have closed the gap to the European places, with just six points separating them from the top six.
- Both teams have scored in Athletic Bilbao’s last seven matches in the Spanish top flight.
- The Basque side have found the net in five of their previous six home games in this competition.
- Five of the club’s last seven La Liga fixtures have gone over the goal line.
Potential Athletic Bilbao Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon – Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche – Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Inaki Williams, Nico Serrano, Oihan Sancet – Gorka Guruzeta.
Due to injuries, defender Unai Egiluz, midfielder Benat Prados, and forwards Nico Williams, Alex Berenguer and Maroan Sannadi will miss out.
Elche CF
The team are still enduring a very difficult spell. Their most recent La Liga match ended in a goalless draw at home to Osasuna. On the one hand, Elche CF halted a three-game losing streak in the league, but they are now without a win in this competition for seven straight matches. It is also worth noting that the club failed to score for the first time in 10 La Liga outings. At the same time, the team recorded their first clean sheet in La Liga in 2026. The numbers are contradictory, but the key point is that Elche CF cannot stop sliding towards the relegation zone. The club have dropped to 16th in the table, just one point clear of 18th place.
- Both teams have scored in five of Elche CF’s previous six away matches in La Liga.
- At least two goals have been scored in nine of the club’s last 10 games in this competition.
- Elche CF have won with a (+1.5) handicap in 11 of their previous 15 away matches in the league.
Potential Elche CF Lineup (3-5-2)*
Matias Dituro – Pedro Bigas, Leo Petrot, Victor Chust – German Valera, Tete Morente, Lucas Cepeda, Marc Aguado, Aleix Febas – Alvaro Rodriguez, Andre Silva.
First-choice defender David Affengruber has served his suspension. Midfielder Josan and defender Hector Fort are sidelined with injuries.
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche CF: Match Prediction
Athletic Bilbao are gradually coming back to life and entering the fight for a European spot. After a long winless run in La Liga, the team have put together two straight victories, something they had not managed since the opening rounds of the current campaign. Yes, the Basque side beat two of La Liga’s weakest clubs, but they now face an opponent of roughly the same calibre.
Elche CF, who spent a long time in mid-table, are now just one point above the relegation zone. In 2026, the team have not won a single league match; before the goalless draw with Osasuna, the club lost three in a row. Elche CF have found it especially tough on the road, taking only four points from 11 away matches since the start of the current La Liga season — the worst return in the division. The visitors have lost seven of their last eight away fixtures in La Liga, and they look like underdogs once again.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao to win
* For each team, the starting line-up listed is from their last match in this competition.
