Athletic Club vs Espanyol Prediction - La Liga

Match context

At 3:00 AM on December 23, 2025, the Estadio de San Mamés will host a La Liga match between Athletic Club and Espanyol. This game is crucial for both teams: Espanyol are seeking a win to solidify their position at the top of the table, while Athletic Club need a favorable result to improve their ranking and regain stability.

Form and ranking

Espanyol are showing impressive form, currently sitting in 5th place in the league table with 30 points. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches, demonstrating consistency and effectiveness in their gameplay. This season, Espanyol have recorded 9 wins, 3 draws, and only 4 losses, scoring 20 goals and conceding 16.

On the opposite side, Athletic Club has shown a lack of consistency. They are currently ranked 8th with 23 points. In their last 5 matches, the team at San Mamés Stadium has only won 2 and suffered 3 defeats. After 17 matches played, Athletic Club has 7 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses. Their attack has only scored 15 goals (an average of 0.9 goals per game), while their defense has conceded 22 goals.

History of confrontations

Looking at their head-to-head record in the last five meetings, Athletic Club holds the advantage with three wins, one draw, and only one loss against Espanyol. However, current form could shift the balance of power.

• February 16, 2025: Espanyol 1 - 1 Athletic Club
• October 19, 2024: Athletic Club 4 - 1 Espanyol
• April 8, 2023: Espanyol 1 - 2 Athletic Club
• January 19, 2023: Athletic Club 1 - 0 Espanyol
• September 4, 2022: Athletic Club 0 - 1 Espanyol

Force situation

Athletic Club is facing a serious personnel crisis with a number of key players unavailable.

Athletic Club

• Y. Alvarez: Absent due to doping ban.
• Y. Berchiche: absent due to injury
• U. Egiluz: Absent due to knee injury
• A. Laporte: absent due to muscle injury.
• B. Prados Diaz: absent due to knee injury.
• M. Sannadi: absent due to knee injury.
• D. Vivian: suspended due to yellow/red card

Espanyol

• C. Pickel: on international duty
• R. Terrats: absent due to muscle injury.
• J. Puado: availability is still uncertain.

Analysis and predictions

With superior form and a more stable squad, Espanyol are considered the favorites in this away match. Athletic Club's absence of so many key players, especially in defense, will be a great opportunity for Espanyol's attack to exploit. Despite having home advantage and a better head-to-head record, difficulties are anticipated for Athletic Club. A draw or a victory for the visiting Espanyol is the most likely scenario.

Team lineup updated at 02:23 on December 23, 2025

Official lineup

Athletic Club

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachErnesto Valverde

Starting lineup:

• 1. Unai Simón (G)
• 2. Andoni Gorosabel (D)
• 4. Aitor Paredes (D)
• 15. Íñigo Lekue (D)
• 19. Adama Boiro (D)
• 16. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (M)
• 18. Mikel Jauregizar (M)
• 7. Álex Berenguer (M)
• 8. Oihan Sancet (M)
• 10. Nico Williams (M)
• 9. Iñaki Williams (F)

Substitutes:

• 27. Alex Padilla
• 47. Iker Monreal Agundez
• 12. Jesús Areso
• 30. Alejandro Rego
• 44. Selton Sanchez
• 23. Robert Navarro
• 22. Nico Serrano
• 6. Mikel Vesga
• 20. Unai Gómez
• 25. Urko Izeta
• 11. Gorka Guruzeta

Espanyol

Diagram: 4-3-3

CoachManolo Gonzalez

Starting lineup:

• 13. Marko Dmitrović (G)
• 23. Omar El Hilali (D)
• 5. Fernando Calero (D)
• 6. Leandro Cabrera (D)
• 22. Carlos Romero (D)
• 10. Pol Lozano (M)
• 4. Urko González (M)
• 8. Edu Expósito (M)
• 24. Tyrhys Dolan (F)
• 9. Roberto Fernández (F)
• 11. Pere Milla (F)

Substitutes:

• 1. Angel Fortune
• 30. Pol Tristan Jimenez
• 2. Rubén Sánchez
• 15. Miguel Rubio
• 12. Jose Salinas
• 38. Clemens Riedel
• 17. Jofre Carreras
• 20. Antoniu Roca
• 16. Luca Koleosho
• 27. Javier Hernandez
• 28. Ferran Gomez
• 19. Kike García

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