Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis are separated by two points in the La Liga table ahead of their pivotal showdown at San Mames on Thursday evening.
With six games remaining, seventh-placed Athletic trail sixth-placed Betis as both sides aim to secure a European berth before the end of the season.
Despite enjoying more than 70% possession at the Iberostar Estadi on Monday, Athletic Bilbao left it late to rescue a point against Mallorca, with Inaki Williams netting a 96th-minute penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw for his side.
Athletic Bilbao have now lost four of their last seven La Liga games on home soil, having lost only two of their opening nine league matches at the beginning of the campaign.
It is also worth pointing out that Athletic have won just two of their previous eight home league games, so the Basque outfit will be eager to turn the tide and reignite their quest for European football.
While Athletic Bilbao have struggled for consistency on home soil in recent times, Real Betis have faltered on the road, losing each of their last three away league games.
With that in mind, we expect Athletic and Betis to share the points at San Mames as both sides aim to avoid defeat and keep their respective European pushes alive.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
