Football
Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: February 2, 2025 Kickoff Time: 20:00 (UK Time) Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarin SportsBoom previews the earnestly awaited La Liga match between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday, 2 February 2025. With kick-off just around the corner, La Liga bettors are combing through the odds and team stats to find the top football betting strategies. Discover all the key insights and advice in our detailed match preview. High-flying Athletic Bilbao make the trip to Seville, aiming to get back to winning ways after sharing the spoils with Leganes in a disappointing goalless draw.
Athletic Club v Rayo Vallecano - LaLiga EA Sports//Getty Images
Meanwhile, Real Betis return home, hoping to build on their first victory of 2025 in La Liga, thanks to Cedric Bakambu’s stoppage-time winner away at Mallorca. We’re set for a thrilling encounter with goals guaranteed every time these adversaries lock horns.
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao come into this clash, following their midweek UEFA Europa League match with Viktoria Plzen. It remains to be seen if this might prove to be an advantage for Manuel Pellegrini, who’ll have the entire week solely to prepare Real Betis for this La Liga game, eagerly awaiting to include his new loan signing Antony from Manchester United into the ‘Los Verdiblancos’ offensive.
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PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBILITY
ATHLETIC BILBAO ARE ODDS-ON FAVORITES
HOME: 22/10 (3.00) – 31,3%
DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30,3%
AWAY: 13/10 (2.30) – 43,5%
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Five Meetings (La Liga)
03/11/24: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Betis
25/02/24: Real Betis 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
27/08/23: Athletic Bilbao 4-2 Real Betis
04/05/23: Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Real Betis
29/12/22: Real Betis 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
REAL BETIS: CURRENT FORM – WLLDW
Los Verdiblancos have only managed two wins from their previous 10 La Liga matches, however, Pellegrini is a genius when setting up against the heavy hitters in La Liga. He managed to outwit Atletico Madrid (1-0) and claimed a share of the spoils against Barcelona (2-2) on home soil this season.
Betis come into this fixture off a 1-0 away win at Mallorca to end a three-game winless run and snap a two-game losing streak. Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be looking to build on their last performance and secure another important win as they look to climb higher up the La Liga standings.
Betis will be seeking a first home win in five matches following three draws and a loss. But having beaten Bilbao 3-1 in this fixture last season, they certainly won’t be short on confidence.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Vitor Roque: The Brazilian striker last scored from the penalty spot against his parent club Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Tallying four La Liga goals this season, he will be aiming to impress during the second half of the campaign before returning to Catalunya.
- Isco: The former Real Madrid playmaker oozes class in everything he does, effortlessly dictating the tempo of build-up play, quickly transitioning into attacking play, inspiring his team to fire on all cylinders. When Isco is at his best, Real Betis flourishes as a team.
- Antony: After the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Antony looked a much-improved player. Very bright in possession and more willing to take full-backs to the bye line with intent. With regular game time ahead of him, Antony is now presented with an ideal opportunity, under Pellegrini during the second half of the season to prove his true worth.
REAL BETIS TEAM NEWS
Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez returns to full fitness, while there are a host of players unavailable. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (groin injury) is the biggest miss, seeing as the Argentine is the top goal scorer this season.
Luis Avila (knee injury), Youssouf Sabaly (hamstring), and Portuguese defender William Carvalho (ruptured Achilles tendon) remain long-term absentees, while Hector Bellerin and club-captain Aitor Ruibal (ankle injury) continue their rehabilitation with hopes of returning before the end of this month.
ATHLETIC BILBAO: CURRENT FORM – DWWDW
Athletic Bilbao will be ruing their missed opportunity to draw level on points with third-placed Barcelona, trailing the Blaugrana in the La Liga table by two points, after failing to put Leganes away in an intriguing goalless draw at San Mames.
‘Los Leones’ dominated the encounter with 68% ball possession, earning an incredible 16 corners through the genius dribbling skills of Nico Williams, yet ultimately failed to find the net. Leganes almost upset the applecart, striking the crossbar and post in the final 10 minutes, however, goalkeeper Unai Simon was in fine form - pulling off one of the saves of the season to keep his team in the contest.
The Lions come into clash unbeaten in 12 La Liga matches, having narrowly lost three times to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Girona this campaign.
During their last five away games, Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao claimed three wins over Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna and Celta Vigo by a 2-1 scoreline, whilst drawing (1-1) at Real Valladolid and Alaves.
Alongside Inaki Williams and Nico Williams, Alex Berenguer has been key for team from the Basque Country, scoring crucial goals on their travels and constantly providing the attack with perfectly weighted through-balls.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Nico Williams: Despite scoring just once in La Liga, the 22-year-old winger is one of the most impactful players in La Liga. Teams have tried to double-mark him but there is little anyone can do against the extreme pace, power and silky footwork on display.
- Alex Berenguer: A constant in the heart of Ernesto Valverde’s midfield, effortlessly crossing the ball on his first touch into the path of Nico Williams to expose opposition fullbacks in 1vs1 situations. Berenguer also has a knack for scoring away from San Mames.
- Unai Simon: Spain’s number one choice goalkeeper under Luis de la Fuente, Unai Simon showed his quality against Leganes and will be crucial to Athletic Bilbao cracking into the top-three positions on the La Liga standings.
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS
Big summer signing Alvaro Djalo from Braga remains a doubt due to an ankle injury, while midfielder Ruiz de Galarreta (muscle injury) faces a late fitness test.
Ander Herrera joined Argentine giants Boca Juniors on a free transfer, while goalkeeper Alex Padilla was loaned out to UNAM Pumas in Mexico.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Real Betis: 4-2-3-1
Adrian; Bartra, Llorente, Natan, Arribas; Roca, Johnny; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Roque.
Athletic Bilbao: 4-2-3-1
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Boiro; Jauregizar, Vesga; Inaki Williams, Berenguer, Nico Williams; Guruzeta.
SUGGESTED BETS
If you love betting on La Liga, here are some bets you can place at some of the top football sportsbooks.
Both Teams to Score: Athletic Bilbao fixtures has seen both teams score in their last five away games, as well as the last three meetings between these teams. This is a solid bet. (93/100 with Betway) (90/100 with Stake) (90/100 with 1Win)
Over 2.5 Goals: Given the same reasoning, this bet remains highly appealing. (121/100 with Betway) (110/100 with Stake) (110/100 with 1Win)
Double Chance and Overs/Unders (Total 2.5): Athletic Bilbao/Draw & Over 2.5 is our selection, unbeaten in their last five games away from San Mames during goal-filled encounters. This bet makes perfect sense. (140/100 with Betway) (135/100 with Stake) (135/100 with 1Win)
VALUE BETS
Athletic Bilbao Corner Range: 7+ is our selection. Continue this trend from the previous game against Leganes to make a lucrative profit. (235/100 with Betway) (230/100 with Stake) (220/100 with 1Win)
Alex Berenguer – Anytime Goalscorer: The Spanish midfielder has come to the forefront when his team have needed him most. With defenders occupied by Guruzeta and the Williams brothers, Berenguer can find himself at the right place at the right time and score. (460/100 with Betway) (480/100 with Stake) (470/100 with 1Win)
Nico Williams – Anytime Goalscorer: With Real Betis’ regular right-back Youssouf Sabaly out with a hamstring injury, Nico Williams will feature more prominently in the match and possibly add to his goal tally. (380/100 with Betway) (370/100 with Stake)(370/100 with 1Win)
PREDICTION: ATHLETIC BILBAO TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Athletic Bilbao have gone from strength to strength under Ernesto Valverde’s guidance. Winning the Copa del Rey last season, with their eyes firmly set on winning the UEFA Europa League trophy this season. Real Betis, on the other hand, have quality within their ranks but are yet to become a well-oiled machine. Los Leones are expected to maintain the pressure on the top three clubs in Spain and claim maximum points in Seville.
Bryan is a passionate sports writer with a focus on football and cricket. While he loves top leagues like the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Premier League, he also covers lesser-known leagues, offering previews and tips for sports betting sites.
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