Key Facts
- Espanyol is in the midst of a severe crisis: 18 league games without a win in 2026 and just one point from their last five matches; the threat of relegation is very real.
- Javi Puado’s long-term absence (torn ACL) significantly weakens Espanyol’s attack; the team has averaged just 0.4 goals per game recently.
- Bilbao also arrives with personnel issues: Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet are out with injuries, which reduces the pace and creativity of the Basque attack.
- Historically, four of the last five head-to-head matches have seen fewer than 3.5 goals—both teams currently have weakened offenses, making a low-scoring game likely.
- Bilbao has dominated the recent head-to-head record (three wins out of five); Espanyol’s only victory dates back to December 2025 (2-1 away).
- The betting market rates the match as evenly matched, but Espanyol’s finishing problems and Bilbao’s head-to-head advantage make X2 (draw or away win) the statistically more plausible pick.
18 league games without a win in 2026 — that is the burden Espanyol carries into Wednesday’s La Liga clash against Bilbao. Manolo González’s team is still just outside the relegation zone, but the margin is razor-thin. Added to this is the recent arrival of Monchi as sporting director, who brings future ambitions to a current fight for survival. Bilbao, under Ernesto Valverde, arrives with its own problems, particularly following the injuries to Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet in the match against Valencia. Espanyol won the last meeting in December 2025, 2-1 in Bilbao, a reminder that this matchup doesn’t always follow the standings.
- Venue: RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat
- Date and time: May 13, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 36)
The balanced assessment of the betting market makes X2 more convincing, as Espanyol’s urgency has not translated into wins, and Javi Puado is missing in attack as the key absentee. Under 2.5 goals also aligns with the analysis: Espanyol is struggling to score, while Bilbao is missing Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet.
Espanyol Form & Record Check
The 1-2 loss at Sevilla was particularly painful because the performance had at times suggested things were heading in a better direction. Tyrhys Dolan put them ahead in the second half, but once again they failed to hold on to the lead. That is precisely what has become the real problem—not just the results themselves, but the way their confidence crumbles as soon as the game turns against them. Their recent league results speak for themselves: one draw and four losses in their last five matches. The scoreless draw against Levante conveyed a sense of control but lacked any bite. The losses to Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid, and Barcelona revealed different facets of the same underlying problem. They rarely create enough scoring chances in matches, and after halftime, they consistently concede goals. The standings add to the pressure. Espanyol sits in 16th place with 39 points, level with Mallorca above them and Girona below, meaning every little detail really counts now. Javi Puado’s long-term injury leaves a noticeable gap in the final third, where Kike García, Roberto Fernández, Pere Milla, Cyril Ngonge, and Tyrhys Dolan must now shoulder a heavy burden in attack.
Espanyol is likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Manolo González, though that is, of course, still speculation. Marko Dmitrovic – 13 is expected to start in goal, with Fernando Calero – 5 and Leandro Cabrera – 6 forming the center of the defense. Javi Puado is out with a torn ACL, so Tyrhys Dolan – 24 could support Roberto Fernández – 9.
Ernesto Valverde is likely to line up Bilbao in a 4-2-3-1, with Unai Simón in goal behind Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte. With Beñat Prados out due to a torn cruciate ligament, Mikel Jauregizar should line up alongside Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta in midfield, while Álex Berenguer is considered the most likely replacement for the injured Nico Williams, with Iñaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta leading the attack.
Bilbao Form & Record Check
The 0-1 home loss to Valencia left a bitter aftertaste, but the injuries were the more serious consequence. Nico Williams had to leave the field in the first half, Oihan Sancet followed him later, and both are likely to be missing from the squad in the final stretch of the season. Aymeric Laporte’s substitution at halftime, on the other hand, was described as purely a precautionary measure following an early yellow card, not a new injury. The last five league games show inconsistency rather than a genuine slump. Bilbao defeated Osasuna 1-0 and Alavés 4-2, but lost to Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, and Valencia. At least the Basques have scored in four of those five matches, but the defensive stability that fans were accustomed to under Valverde has wavered noticeably of late, especially as games entered the closing stages. With 44 points in ninth place, the Basques are level with Real Sociedad directly ahead of them and hold just a one-point lead over Rayo Vallecano. That keeps the chase for European qualification alive, but leaves little room for sentimentality. Without Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, more responsibility now falls on Iñaki Williams, Álex Berenguer, Robert Navarro, and Unai Gómez to bring rhythm and goal-scoring threat to the game.
Ernesto Valverde is likely to line up Bilbao in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Unai Simón in goal behind Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte. With Beñat Prados sidelined due to a torn ACL, Mikel Jauregizar should line up alongside Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta in midfield, while Álex Berenguer is considered the most likely replacement for the injured Nico Williams, and Iñaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta lead the attack.
Espanyol – Bilbao Head-to-Head & Stats
In their last five meetings, Bilbao has won three times, Espanyol once, and the two teams have drawn once. Espanyol’s victory dates back to December 2025, a 2-1 away win that briefly interrupted Athletic’s clear dominance in this rivalry up to that point. Prior to that, the two teams had drawn 1-1 in February 2025, following Athletic’s convincing 4-1 victory in October 2024. The earlier results underscore Bilbao’s dominance. Athletic won 2-1 away in 2023 and also secured a 1-0 victory in the Copa del Rey that same year. The Basques scored in all five encounters, while Espanyol conceded in every match. Interestingly, four of the five games ended with under 3.5 goals, which supports the expectation of another controlled and relatively close match.
