Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol headlines Round 18 of La Liga as the Basque side welcome Espanyol to the iconic Estadio de San Mamés. Kick-off is scheduled for 01:30 local time on December 23, with cool winter conditions expected at around 8°C, ideal for an intense and physical Spanish top-flight encounter.
Athletic Bilbao will look to make home advantage count at one of La Liga’s toughest venues, while Espanyol arrive in confident form after a strong run of league results. With both teams pushing for consistency before the mid-season break, this clash promises a tight and tactical battle.
Match Overview – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol |
| Competition | La Liga |
| Matchweek | Round 18 |
| Date & Kick-Off | December 23, 2025 – 01:30 |
| Venue | Estadio de San Mamés |
| City | Bilbao, Spain |
| Capacity | 53,289 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 8°C – Cool |
Athletic Bilbao are expected to control territory with aggressive wing play, while Espanyol may sit deeper and look to strike on the counter through quick transitions and set pieces.
Recent Form Guide – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
Athletic Bilbao – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/12 | Ourense | 0–1 | Win | Copa del Rey |
| 14/12 | Celta de Vigo | 2–0 | Loss | La Liga |
| 10/12 | PSG | 0–0 | Draw | Friendly |
| 06/12 | Atlético Madrid | 1–0 | Win | La Liga |
| 03/12 | Real Madrid | 0–3 | Loss | La Liga |
Athletic Bilbao have shown resilience at home, but inconsistency against top sides remains a concern. Defensive discipline will be crucial given their current suspension and injury issues.
Espanyol – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/12 | Getafe | 0–1 | Win | La Liga |
| 07/12 | Rayo Vallecano | 1–0 | Win | La Liga |
| 04/12 | Baleares | 1–0 | Loss | Copa del Rey |
| 30/11 | Celta de Vigo | 0–1 | Win | La Liga |
| 24/11 | Sevilla | 2–1 | Win | La Liga |
Espanyol are in strong league form, winning four of their last five La Liga matches and showing impressive defensive solidity on the road.
Head-to-Head – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16, 2025 | La Liga | Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao | 1–1 |
| Oct 19, 2024 | La Liga | Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol | 4–1 |
| Apr 8, 2023 | La Liga | Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao | 1–2 |
| Jan 18, 2023 | Copa del Rey | Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol | 1–0 |
| Sept 4, 2022 | La Liga | Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol | 0–1 |
Athletic Bilbao have won three of the last five meetings, particularly strong at San Mamés, where they tend to impose their physical style effectively.
Top Scorers
- Athletic Bilbao: Nico Williams – 3 goals, 2 assists (13 matches)
- Espanyol: Edu Expósito – 5 goals (14 matches)
Nico Williams remains Bilbao’s most explosive attacking outlet, while Edu Expósito’s late runs from midfield make him Espanyol’s main goal threat.
Predicted Lineups – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1) : Unai Simón – Jesús Areso, Iñigo Lekue, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boiro – Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar – Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams – Álex Berenguer
Espanyol (4-2-3-1) : Marko Dmitrović – Omar El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero – Urko González, Pol Lozano – Tyrhys Dolan, Edu Expósito, Pere Milla – Roberto Fernández
Final lineups will be confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | Yeray Álvarez, Daniel Vivian | Suspension |
| Robert Navarro, Aymeric Laporte, Unai Eguiluz, Yuri Berchiche, Benat Prados, Maroan Sannadi | Injury | |
| Espanyol | Charles Pickel | International duty |
| Javier Puado, Ramon Terrats | Injury |
Athletic Bilbao’s absences in defense could test their depth, while Espanyol are missing key attacking options but remain well-organized.
Statistical Projection – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
| Metric | Athletic Bilbao | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 54% | 46% |
| Shots on Target | 5–7 | 3–5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.4–1.7 | 0.9–1.2 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 35% | 28% |
| Corners | 6–8 | 4–6 |
| Most Likely Scorer | Nico Williams | Edu Expósito |
Prediction Summary – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
Why Athletic Bilbao Could Win
- Strong home advantage at San Mamés
- Pace and direct threat from the Williams brothers
- Historically solid record against Espanyol at home
Why Espanyol Could Challenge
- Excellent recent La Liga form
- Compact defensive structure
- Midfield creativity through Edu Expósito
Athletic Bilbao’s home intensity gives them a slight edge, but Espanyol’s discipline and confidence suggest a closely contested match.
Final Score Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2–1 Espanyol
Likely Scorers:
- Nico Williams
- Álex Berenguer
- Edu Expósito
Confidence Levels:
- Athletic Bilbao Win – 45%
- Draw – 30%
- Espanyol Win – 25%
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Betting Insight by E2bet
This match looks tight but leans toward a narrow home win due to San Mamés’ influence.
Bet Tips: Athletic Bilbao Win or Draw (1X)
Best Value Bet: Correct Score 2–1
Player Bet: Nico Williams to Score Anytime
⚠️ All predictions and insights are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol
1.What time is Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol in La Liga Round 18?
The match kicks off at 01:30 local time on December 23, 2025.
2.Where is Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol being played?
At Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain.
3.Who are the key players to watch?
Nico Williams for Athletic Bilbao and Edu Expósito for Espanyol.
4.What is the recent head-to-head record?
Athletic Bilbao have won three of the last five meetings.
5.What is the predicted score?
A narrow 2–1 home win for Athletic Bilbao.