Athletic Club – Las Palmas
San Mamés has only surrendered three times this season – now Las Palmas, in 17th place with 32 points and a goal difference of minus 14, travels to the Basque fortress. Athletic is in fourth place with 57 points, and the door to the Champions League is ajar. However, coach Ernesto Valverde is still worried about winger Nico Williams, who is doubtful due to a groin injury. The last direct duel in September ended 3-2 for Athletic, and the first 45 minutes of this matchup are usually low-scoring. Las Palmas is fighting for survival, while Athletic is looking to cap off a strong season – contrasts that will electrify the evening.
Athletic – Las Palmas info
- Venue: San Mamés Barria, Bilbao
- Date and time: 23.04.2025, 7:00 p.m.
- Competition: La Liga (matchday 33)
Athletic form & record
Athletic have won their last two games, drawn twice and lost only narrowly 0-1 to Real Madrid. In four of these matches, fewer than 2.5 goals were scored, with no more than one before the break. Valverde is sticking with his 4-2-3-1 formation: Paredes and Núñez are reliable in defense, with Sancet linking the lines in front of them. However, without Nico Williams, the team lacks pace on the left, which is why the offense sometimes stalls. Nevertheless, the balance is right and third place remains within reach.
Predicted line-up Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Simón – Gorosabel, Paredes, Núñez, Boiro – Vesga, Prados – Berenguer, Sancet, Gómez – Williams. The core of the team is well-rehearsed and there are no major concerns; only Nico Williams’ fitness remains a question mark.
Las Palmas form & record check
Las Palmas is the second-half phenomenon of the league: in each of their last five games, the Canary Islanders have only scored after the break, falling behind early on four occasions. Two wins – 3-1 at Getafe and 1-0 against Atlético – have nevertheless given them a boost. The defense remains vulnerable, as evidenced by conceding goals in four of the five games. A point in Bilbao would be worth its weight in gold, especially with Alavés lurking just one point behind.
Predicted line-up Las Palmas (4-4-2): Horkaš – Rozada, Suárez, McKenna, Mármol – Muñoz, Essugo, Bajčetić, Moleiro – McBurnie, Ramírez. Pelmard and Kirian Rodríguez are still out, Campaña and Cardona are the first substitutes from the bench.
H2H Athletic – Las Palmas Head-to-head & statistics
Head-to-head: Athletic have won the last three competitive games against Las Palmas (most recently 3-2 in September 2024). Four of the last five encounters have seen no more than two goals, with three of them level at half-time. Las Palmas’ last win came in 2017 – since then, the Basques have clearly had the upper hand.
