Athletic Bilbao

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After earning promotion through the play-offs last season, Valladolid got their campaign off to the perfect start by winning away at Real Zaragoza last weekend. However, if they are to maintain their La Liga status, their home form is going to be vital so they will be looking to set a precedent on Monday night (Valladolid 11/10, draw 23/10, Levante 12/5 – Match Prices).

On the other hand, Levante are now one of the top flight’s most consistent sides and after finishing sixth in the table in 2011/12, boss Juan Ignacio Martinez has once again brought in a number of rough diamonds to ensure they continue their progress this term.

The Granotes looked good in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid and with Europa League football also on the agenda this term; this could be an exciting 12 months for the Castilian club.

These are two extremely evenly matched sides but Levante are flying and should just sneak the three points (Levante 15/2 to win 1-0).

The late match has all of the ingredients to be one of the clashes of the season so far as Atletico Madrid face Athletic Bilbao (Atletico 8/13, draw 13/5, Bilbao 9/2 – Match Prices).

After their strong end to last campaign, the capital club have regularly spoken of their desire to challenge for the title.

They certainly have a number of players who deserve to be fighting it out for the game’s top honours and Diego Simeone’s men are always tough to beat at home. They will fancy their chances of claiming their first league victory of the season.

While ‘Atleti’ have been uncharacteristically quiet this summer, Bilbao are currently experiencing huge problems both on and off the pitch.

Their charismatic, if sometimes bizarre, manager Marcelo Bielsa has continued to make headlines after falling out with the board over the proposed building of the club’s new training facilities and at one point was even rumoured to have offered his resignation.

Perhaps more importantly though, the team that thrilled Europe last term appears to be falling apart, with their lynchpins Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez both recently asking to leave the San Mames.

Unlike the other game on Monday, this will more than likely be an open and attacking encounter, with some sublime football and a number of equally ridiculous errors on show.

Both sides are used to this style though and it’s sure to be a thriller, but the capital club’s extra stability in their selection should see them take a comfortable win (Atletico 11/1 to win 3-1).

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Athletic Bilbao

Bilbao created a stir earlier in the competition when they comfortably disposed of Manchester United with home and away victories notched up against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

However, while many fancied them to go far in the tournament, the Basque side lost out to Manchester City’s conquerors Sporting in Lisbon last week so have their work cut out to reach next month’s final in Bucharest.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao side have never won a European competition, but they will be confident of progression given that they have won every Europa League match on home soil this season, while they are the second most prolific side still in contention in the Europa League, with 25 goals to date.

They will be boosted by the news Javi Martinez is available after he missed the match at the Estadio de Alvalade through suspension, while Iker Muniain is expected to feature despite missing out against Racing Santander because of an eye inflammation.

The stats do not make good reading for Sporting as they have yet to win a European game on Spanish soil and have failed to win in any of their last 10 away matches.

But, Ricardo Sa Pinto’s men only require a draw so they could be tempted to try and frustrate Bilbao and keep the door shut at the back while seeing what they can get on the break.

Sporting, who defeated Bilbao 4-2 over two legs in their last European meeting in 1985-86, will be without the ineligible Elias, while Fito Rinaudo and Alberto Rodriguez are both injured.

But, Chilean Matias Fernandez, who has missed the club’s last two games, is ready to feature from the start.

We expect a close game, but with Athletic Bilbao only needing a 1-0 win to progress, they should have too much firepower for the Portuguese and ensure an all-Spanish final.

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao Home Win 90 Minutes @ 8/15
Value Bet: 4 Goals – Goals 10-band @ 9/2

Atletico Madrid, who won the Europa League in 2010, will feel they have one foot in the final following a handsome 4-2 first-leg victory last week.

However, Valencia’s two away goals will give them hope that they can pull the tie out of the fire at Estadio de Mestalla on Thursday.

Ricardo Costa’s late away goal could be the key for Los Che and they warmed up nicely for the match with a 4-0 thumping of Real Betis at the weekend, in which Real Madrid playmaker Sergio Canales made a welcome recovery from a serious ligament injury and could start against Atletico.

Roberto Soldado is set to retain his spot in attack, with Jonas supporting him in the final third.

Valencia won the Primera Division fixture 1-0 in September on home soil so will need to add another goal if they are going to progress to the final.

Atletico Madrid arrive in a good run of form which has seen them win three successive matches with the first-leg victory sandwiched between domestic successes against Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano respectively.

The omens are mixed for coach Diego Simeone, who has selected the same squad of 18 players that successfully defeated Espanyol at the weekend, as Atletico have never won a European tie away from home in Spain.

However, a defeat on Thursday could still see them through, while they also have the psychological boost of their two-legged victory over Valencia at the quarter-final stage on their way to winning the trophy two years ago.

Valencia’s home form is good in Europe and Atletico don’t travel well so we fancy a home win, but the two-goal cushion from the first leg could be just enough to get the visitors into the final.

Prediction: Valencia Home 90 Minutes @ 5/6
Value Bet: Valencia 2-1 Correct Score @ 7/1

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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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