The Matchday 25 La Liga clash between Athletic Club and Elche Club de Futbol will take place on 20 February at San Mames in Bilbao. Athletic Club vs Elche Club de Futbol: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Athletic Club
In the previous round, the team came from behind to claim an away win over Real Oviedo (2:1). That result saw Athletic Club win back-to-back Primera Division matches for the first time since August last year. Not so long ago, the Basque outfit were unable to pick up three points across a six-game winless run in the league. Now, since the start of February, the club have not suffered a single defeat in La Liga and have taken seven points from a possible nine. Thanks to that upturn, the team have climbed to ninth in the standings and have cut the gap to the European places, with just six points separating them from the top six.
- Both teams have scored in Athletic Club's last seven matches in the Spanish league.
- The Basque side have scored in five of their previous six home matches in this competition.
- Five of the club's last seven Primera Division games have gone over the total.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon - Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche - Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta - Inaki Williams, Nico Serrano, Oihan Sancet - Gorka Guruzeta.
Due to injuries, the team will be without defender Unai Egiluz, midfielder Benat Prados, as well as forwards Nico Williams, Alex Berenguer and Maroan Sannadi.
Elche Club de Futbol
The team continue to go through a very difficult spell. Their latest La Liga match ended in a goalless draw with Club Atletico Osasuna at home. On the one hand, Elche Club de Futbol brought a three-game losing run in the league to an end, but the reality is that they have now gone seven straight matches in this competition without a win. It is also worth noting that the club failed to score for the first time in 10 Primera Division outings. At the same time, the team recorded their first clean sheet in La Liga in 2026. The numbers look contradictory, but the main issue is that Elche Club de Futbol are still unable to halt their slide towards the relegation zone. The club have dropped to 16th in the table, with exactly one point separating them from 18th place.
- Both teams have scored in five of Elche Club de Futbol's previous six away matches in La Liga.
- At least two goals have been scored in nine of the club's last 10 matches in this competition.
- Elche Club de Futbol have won with a (+1.5) handicap in 11 of their previous 15 away matches in the league.
Potential Elche Club de Futbol Lineup (3-5-2)*
Matias Dituro - Pedro Bigas, Leo Petro, Victor Chust - German Valera, Tete Morente, Lucas Cepeda, Marc Aguado, Aleix Febas - Alvaro Rodriguez, Andre Silva.
First-choice defender David Affengruber has served his suspension. Midfielder Josan and defender Hector Fort are unavailable due to injuries.
Referee
Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez (Spain)
Matches - 12 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) - 51;
Average yellow cards per match - 4.2;
Red cards shown - 2;
Average fouls per match - 22;
Penalties - 42%.
Athletic Club vs Elche Club de Futbol: Match Prediction
Athletic Club are gradually finding their feet and joining the battle for a European place. After a lengthy winless run in the Primera Division, the team have now recorded two consecutive victories, something they had not managed since the opening rounds of the current season. Yes, the Basque side overcame the two worst clubs in La Liga, but they now face opposition of roughly the same calibre.
Elche Club de Futbol, who spent a long time in mid-table, are now just one point above the relegation zone. In 2026, the team have not won a single league match, and prior to the goalless draw against Club Atletico Osasuna in their last outing, the club had suffered three straight defeats. Elche Club de Futbol have found things especially tough on the road: across 11 matches since the start of the current Primera Division season, they have collected just four points - the worst record in the competition. The team have lost seven of their last eight away games in La Liga, and the visitors once again look like outsiders here.
Prediction: Athletic Club to win
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match in this competition.
