The 2024-25 edition of La Liga is back in action with another set of matches this weekend as Rayo Vallecano lock horns with Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao side in an important encounter at the San Mames on Sunday. Both teams can pack a punch on their day and will be determined to win this game.
Rayo Vallecano are in 10th place in the La Liga standings and have been inconsistent over the past year. The away side slumped to a damaging 4-0 defeat at the hands of Espanyol last week and will need to work hard to bounce back in this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the league table and have stepped up to the plate this season. The Basque giants played out a 0-0 stalemate against Rangers in the UEFA Europa League in their previous game and will need to take it up a notch in this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao have thrived under Ernesto Valverde and will look to make the most of their impressive form this weekend. The hosts have failed to find the back of the net in their last two games and cannot afford to put a foot wrong in this fixture.
Rayo Vallecano can pull off an upset on their day and will need to be at their best in this match. Athletic Bilbao are the better team and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Rayo Vallecano
Tip 1: Result - Athletic Bilbao to win
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Athletic Bilbao to score first - Yes