After another wonderful weekend of La Liga football, round seven comes to a close on Monday with a Basque derby which sees Osasuna travelling to local rivals Athletic Bilbao (Bilbao 4/5 to win).
Both sides have made solid if unspectacular starts to the season and will be looking for an all-important victory as well as local bragging rights (12/5 draw).
Bilbao are currently in the midst of a cultural revolution after the board appointed the club’s first ever non-Basque coach in the form of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa.
Los Leones are renowned for their exciting, attacking football but have struggled this season due to the new coach trying to implement his own methods. However, they are currently on a run of three unbeaten after reverting to their previous style and will fancy themselves to shoot up the table and gain a European place.
Key to this will be the form of striker Fernando Llorente, who is now one of Europe’s premier strikers and has once again carried the side this term. If his teammates can provide him with the service, he will score and expect his performance to have a big impact on the result of the match.
The man most likely to be feeding Llorente will be talented youngster Iker Muniain who has established himself in the side this term. Muniain impressed for Spain in this summer’s European under-21 championships and has the talent to trouble any defence. Look for him to be buzzing in and around the penalty box as he is often the man to inspire his teammates.
Osasuna (7/2 to win) appear to be this season’s draw specialists, having taken a single point from each of their last three games.
Los Rojillos had a superb season last term, eventually finishing ninth. They will be aiming for a similar finish this campaign and will be looking to continue their good form on Monday night.
Like their opponents, most of their joy comes through their main striker Kike Sola, who has a habit of popping up with important goals at vital times.
Another man to look out for is midfielder Raul Garcia, who will feel he has a point to prove having been deemed surplus to requirements at parent club Atletico Madrid. He has since rejoined his home town side on a season long loan. Garcia was tipped for great things when he first moved to the capital but failed to live up to expectations. However, he still has the ability to change a game and will be eager to prove himself.
The match will undoubtedly be an exciting, end-to-end encounter and it’s almost too close to call. However, Bilbao are formidable at home and should just shade it (Bilbao 6/1 to win 1-0).
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