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Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla Betting: Floundering attacks to cause slow start

The early kick off in La Liga on Saturday sees Sevilla travel to the length of the country to Bilbao to face Athletic at San Mames.

The Andalusians had an excellent start which saw them win five of their opening seven games, whilst their only defeat of the season so far came in their previous away match when they were beaten 2-0 at Atletico Madrid - but they responded to that result with a comfortable 2-0 win over Malaga last time out and they will head to the Basque Country confident of getting a result.

That Eduardo Berizzo's men can travel to a stadium at tough as San Mames with confidence is partly due to their own form, but also partly a result of their opponents' recent run, with Athletic failing to win any of their last six matches in all competitions.

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Iker Muniain Athletic Bilbao

In La Liga, the Basques have lost three of their last four matches, although just one of those defeats came in their own stadium where only Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have won this year.

Bet365, who are live-streaming the game for UK-based customers, price a win for the hosts at 29/20 (2.45) while Sevilla can be backed at 9/5 (2.80) and the draw is offered at 12/5 (3.40).

Looking back at the recent history of this fixture, it is interesting to note just how dominant Athletic have been over Sevilla in Bilbao, with their last seven league meetings at San Mames being won by the Basques.

Bilbao sevilla graphic

Three of the last four of those victorites have come by a 3-1 scoreline and a repeat is offered at 18/1 (19.00), but that looks unlikely given how strong Sevilla have been defensively, with the side having conceded just three goals in their seven La Liga clashes this term.

This game might also take a while to get going given the early kick off time, with the lunchtime game on a Saturday in La Liga often seeing goalless openings. To that end, backing no goal before the 29th minute at 5/6 (1.83) looks like an attractive option, and is a selection which has paid out in three of the four early matches in the league this season so far.

The context of the game also backs up this bet, with Sevilla solid defensively but only having scored nine times in seven matches, while Athletic are out of form and have also only managed nine goals this season.  

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