Comments and predictions for Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano: The lion roars

Latest Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano team information

Athletic Bilbao will wait for the final results of Yuri Berchiche, who has a muscle problem, but Valverde’s squad are in good shape for this match.

Striker Gorka Guruzeta – who was a substitute against Rangers – is likely to return to the starting line-up. Benat Prados and Andoni Gorosabel are also expected to start against Rayo.

Star winger Nico Williams – who is being chased by a number of big clubs and could leave Athletic in the summer – will continue to start on the left wing.

As for Rayo, they will be missing three names: Jonathan Montiel, Sergio Camello and Abdul Mumin due to injury.

Despite the heavy defeat, coach Inigo Perez is likely to keep the main squad, but there will be a few adjustments. Isi Palazon is expected to return to the attack, while Adri Embarba is also a possible replacement. Randy Nteka will continue to play as a center forward for the capital team.

Latest expected lineup Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Bilbao:
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta

Rayo Vallecano:
Batalla; Ratiu, Hernandez, Lejeune, Chavarria; U Lopez, Ciss; De Frutos, Palazon, A Garcia; Nteka

Latest football commentary Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Bilbao have just returned from Scotland following a 0-0 draw with Rangers in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, leaving everything up in the air ahead of the return leg at San Mames next week.

The goalless draw with Rangers was Athletic’s third consecutive 0-0 draw, including La Liga games against Osasuna and Villarreal. Although they are fourth in the table – enough to qualify for the Champions League – they are only six points ahead of Villarreal (5th) and have played a game more, leaving the race for the top four tight.

Athletic’s recent form in La Liga has not been very convincing, with just one win in their last five games, three draws and one defeat. Therefore, they desperately need a win on Sunday night to create a safe gap in the race for the top four.

At home, Athletic still performed impressively with 30 points after 15 matches - a very good result. However, Rayo Vallecano are also no pushovers, having earned 29 points from away matches this season.

As for Rayo, this team once competed for the top 6 but their recent poor form has dragged them down to 9th place. Notably, they just suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat against Espanyol right at home - a shock that almost destroyed their chance to participate in the European Cup next season.

Coach Inigo Perez and his team have only won 1 of the last 7 rounds. After 30 matches, Rayo have a balanced record of 10 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses – 40 points, 8 points behind the top 6 and only 1 point ahead of the 11th-placed Getafe.

Overall, though, it has been a positive season for Rayo – who finished 17th last season – and the realistic aim now is to secure a place in the top half of the table.

Recent head-to-head history favours Athletic Bilbao, who have won all three of their last meetings with Rayo in La Liga, including a 2-1 win in the first leg this season and a thumping 4-0 win at San Mames last season.

Latest score prediction Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecanoas follows:

• Sportsmole:Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

• WhoScore:Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
• Our newspaper predicts:Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

When and where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano live?

To watch the live match Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano in La Liga taking place at 2:00 a.m. on April 14, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.