Who will take 3 points in a classic Spanish showdown? Prediction for the La Liga match Athletic vs Sevilla
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 17:00 Central European Time, the spotlight of the Saturday program in La Liga's 2026/27 second round shines on San Mamés in Bilbao: Athletic hosts Sevilla.
The clash between the Basques and the Andalusians is an ageless classic of Spanish football, where home advantage and sheer passion always come to the fore.
Matches between these rivals are always fiercely contested, with both sides creating chances; recent encounters have been nail-bitingly close (notably, their January duel in Seville ended 2-1 for the Andalusians).
Athletic
The Bilbao side always starts home games at full throttle. The Basques rely on their well-drilled vertical style: explosive wingers in Nico Williams and Robert Navarro, the playmaking vision of Oihan Sancet, and the rock-solid center-back partnership of Yeray Álvarez and Aitor Paredes.
On home turf, backed by packed stands, Athletic suffocates opponents, imposing relentless duels and aggressive counter-pressing in the final third.
Sevilla
The Andalusians are still reshaping their style of play, aiming to regain their trademark stability in La Liga. Sevilla operates through a crowded midfield, focusing on a compact holding zone (Lucien Agoumé, Jon Guridi) and sharp attacks up front via forwards Oso and Miguel Sierr.
In this away fixture at San Mamés, Sevilla will bet on pragmatic, reactive football, disciplined cover on the flanks, and making the most of set pieces.
Probable lineups
- Athletic: Simón - Areso, Álvarez, Paredes, Berchiche - Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Sancet - Williams, Navarro, Guruzeta
- Sevilla: Vlachodimos - Iglesias, Sangante, Castrin, Suazo - Agoumé, Guridi, Fernández - Miguel Sierra, Oso, Ure
Prediction
The opening rounds of La Liga are traditionally cagey affairs: teams are still finding their rhythm and avoid unnecessary risks. Sevilla will build a deep, compact defensive block at San Mamés to neutralize the creativity of Nico Williams and Sancet, while the Basques' defense is known for its discipline. Expect a tight, physical battle with few goals. My prediction: Under 2.5 goals.
