Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
On Thursday, May 15, in Round 36 of La Liga, Athletic will travel to face Getafe. Kick-off is set for 21:30 Central European Time. I'm offering a pick for the winner in this clash.
Key facts and head-to-head history
- Getafe have failed to score in their last 4 matches.
- Getafe are on a 5-game losing streak.
- Getafe's attack is the second-worst in La Liga with just 31 goals.
- Athletic have kept three consecutive clean sheets in La Liga.
- Athletic have not won any of their last three away league games.
- The first meeting between these teams this season ended in a 1-1 draw.
Match preview
Getafe finished 2024 and started 2025 on a high note, but Pepe Bordalás's team is now experiencing an extremely tough spell. The main issue lies in attack, where Getafe sorely lack individual brilliance. As a result, Getafe now sit 14th with 39 points, just 5 clear of the relegation zone.
In their last five La Liga outings, Getafe have netted only once and have not collected a single point. In the previous round, Getafe were outclassed away by Valencia, losing 0-3, conceding all three goals in the first half. Before that, they suffered narrow 0-1 defeats to Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, and Espanyol.
Athletic Bilbao are virtually guaranteed a place in the 2025/26 Champions League. Ernesto Valverde's men currently occupy fourth, and with five Spanish teams set to feature in Europe's premier club competition next season, Athletic are six points clear of sixth. Thanks to their superior goal difference, one more win should be enough to secure a top-five finish.
However, victories have been hard to come by for Athletic lately. In the previous round, the "Lions" edged Alavés 1-0, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in the Basque derby, and narrowly beat Las Palmas 1-0 as well.
Athletic came agonizingly close to reaching a home Europa League final but lost both semi-final legs to Manchester United, 0-3 and 1-4.
Probable lineups
- Getafe: Soria; Iglesias, Duarte, Alderete, Rico; Arambarri, Milla; Terrats, Uche, Bernat; Mayoral
- Athletic Bilbao: Simón; Gorosabel, Paredes, Vivian, Boiro; Jaureguizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; Berenguer, Sancet, Gómez; Guruzeta
Getafe vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Getafe are in dreadful form, while Athletic are fully motivated to clinch Champions League qualification as soon as possible. I'm backing the visitors to win.
