Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Europa League, November 28, 2024

Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Europa League
• Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Time: 5:45 pm GMT
• Venue: San Mames Stadium

Athletic Bilbao will host Swedish side Elfsborg at San Mames in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. We’re halfway into the league stage of the competition and every match now can have a big impact on the table.

Athletic are currently sixth in the standings after four games. They drew 1-1 against Roma in their first UEL match and then beat AZ Alkmaar 2-0, Slavia Praha 1-0, and Ludogorets 2-1. They have 10 points and will be eager to secure their qualification to the knockout stages soon enough.

Elfsborg, meanwhile, have just four points in four games and are 24^th in the table. They lost 3-2 against AZ Alkmaar but then beat AS Roma 1-0. They then lost 4-3 against Galatasaray before drawing 1-1 against FC Braga.

Hence, a win is important for both sides. A win for Athletic Bilbao could see them almost guarantee their place in the knockouts. Meanwhile, a win for Elfsborg will keep them in the hunt for a place in the playoffs for the knockout stages.

Also Read: Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Salzburg Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | UEFA Champions League, November 26, 2024

Athletic Bilbao Team News

Athletic Bilbao will have all of their players available for the clash against Elfsborg.

Elfsborg Team News

For Elfsborg, Per Frick is out for the season due to his long-term injury. Everyone else is available.

Predicted Lineups

Athletic Bilbao predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Julen Agirrezabala

Defenders: Oscar de Marcos, Daniel Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche

Midfielders: Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados, Oihan Sancet

Attackers: Inaki Williams, Alvaro Djalo, Nico Williams

Elfsborg predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Isak Pettersson

Defenders: Sebastian Holmen, Ibrahim Buhari, Terry Yegbe

Midfielders: Simon Hedlund, Timothy Noor Ouma, Andri Fannar Baldursson, Niklas Hult

Attackers: Arber Zeneli, Michael Baidoo, Ahmed Qasem

Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg H2H Record

The two sides have never faced off in the past. This will be their first-ever meeting.

Also Read: Slovan Bratislava vs AC Milan Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Champions League, November 26, 2024

Key Players to watch in Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg

Nico Williams

Nico Williams has been the talk of the two since the start of last season. He has been excellent for Athletic Bilbao and Spain, which has seen him being linked with a number of clubs. He was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer but stayed at Athletic.

Williams helped Spain win the UEFA Euro 2024 and also scored in the final. He has, however, struggled to replicate his form this season so far though. He’s scored just two goals and provided three assists in 16 games across competitions.

Williams has registered one goal and one assist in four Europa League games this season and will be eager to add to his tally against Elfsborg.

Michael Baidoo

Michael Baidoo is the main striker for Elfsborg. He has scored five goals and provided three assists in 12 games across competitions this season. Baidoo scored three goals and provided three assists in eight games in the Europa League qualifying games.

He has now scored twice in four UEL games so far. He scored the winner in their 1-0 shocking win over Italian giants AS Roma and also in their 4-3 defeat against Galatasaray. While Athletic are expected to dominate the game, Elfsborg will look towards Baidoo to provide them some attacking threat.

Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg Prediction

While every side competes to win, Athletic Bilbao will be the most eager side to win the Europa League this season. This is because the final is at their home ground – San Mames. They have started off really well as they remain unbeaten after the first four games with three wins and one draw. However, their form this season has been far from convincing. They sit fifth in LaLiga. They are unbeaten in their last seven games across competitions but have four wins and three draws in them.

Athletic Club beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in their last game in LaLiga on the weekend. Meanwhile, Elfsborg beat Djurgarden 3-0 away in a friendly in their last game. They are unbeaten in their last five games across competitions with three wins and two draws. They will be keen to get a result against Athletic to remain between the eighth and 24^th positions to qualify for the knockout playoffs.

However, the Spanish side should see them off at home.

Predicted Score: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Elfsborg

Where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg Live?

Also Read: Inter Milan vs Leipzig Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Champions League, November 26, 2024

FAQs