Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao Betting Preview: Latest odds, team news, tips and predictions

Both sides have struggled in front of goal this term and we think another low scoring encounter is on the cards in Barcelona on Sunday evening

Espanyol's win against Malaga on Monday night saw Quique Sanchez Flores' side record back-to-back La Liga victories for the first time since last February, and now they are looking to make it three in a row as they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Catalonia.

Consistency has been one of Los Pericos' main problems, with goalscoring their other glaring deficiency; only the three sides in the relegation zone have scored fewer than Espanyol's 15 league goals.

Athletic, meanwhile, head to Barcelona in strong form with the Basques' responding to their humiliating Copa Del Rey defeat to Formentera at the start of December by going on a run of six matches unbeaten in all competitions.

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Match odds

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Espanyol are priced at 31/20 (2.55) with bet365 to claim their sixth home win of the season, while Athletic are offered at 15/8 (2.87) to record their third consectuive league win on the road. The draw is available at 21/10 (3.10).

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Team news

Costa Rican defender Oscar Duarte remains a doubt for Espanyol, while Athletic have first choice right back Mikel Balenziaga missing and Iker Muniain out with a long term problem.

Goals hard to come by

Espanyol's RCDE Stadium has seen just 15 goals scored in total this term - the third lowest of any stadium in the Spanish top flight - and the stadium with the fewest goals is Athletic's San Mames which has seen just 12, proving that neither of these two teams have been convincing in the final third this term.

Tips and predictions

Under 2.5 goals is offered at just 4/7 (1.57), but combining this selection both teams to score 'no' elevates the price to a more appealing evens (2.00). This bet has paid out in each of the last six home games Espanyol have contested, as well as in four of Athletic's last five league matches.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.