Villarreal back in top three chase as San Mamés trip looms.

Athletic Club vs. Villarreal CF kicks off at 20:00 [GMT+1] on Sunday, April 12, at San Mamés Barria.

Athletic Club [DLLWL] come into this fixture in 11th place with 38 points and recent form that has been underwhelming. Just one win in their last six matches across all competitions highlights a side struggling for consistency, particularly in attack. Over that run, they have averaged just 0.5 goals per game while conceding 1.5, underlining their lack of cutting edge in the final third. Despite these issues, their home performances have been more encouraging. Two wins in their last three at San Mamés, along with an improved scoring average of 1.33 goals per match, suggest they remain a different proposition on their own turf. There is also a longer-term pattern of resilience at home. Athletic have avoided defeat in 24 of their last 30 La Liga matches at San Mamés, which provides a solid foundation heading into this contest. However, defensive fragility remains a concern overall this season, with 43 goals conceded in 30 matches, contributing to a negative goal difference. Another notable trend is the low-scoring nature of this fixture. Each of the last four meetings between these sides has produced under 2.5 goals, pointing toward a tight and tactical encounter. Given Athletic’s recent attacking struggles and Villarreal’s cautious away approach, a similar pattern could emerge again. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Gorka Guruzeta in attack is expected against Villarreal.

Villarreal [LWDWL], by contrast, arrive in a much stronger league position, sitting 3rd with 58 points. Their campaign has been built on consistency, reflected in 18 wins and a healthy +19 goal difference. Over their last six matches, they have picked up three wins, one draw, and two defeats, averaging 1.5 goals scored and conceded per game. This balance between attack and defence has been key to their success. That said, Villarreal’s away form introduces an element of uncertainty. They have lost three of their last six away matches and have struggled historically at San Mamés, winning just once in their last 14 visits in all competitions. Additionally, they are winless in nine of their last 11 away games overall, suggesting that their strong league standing has been driven more by home performances. With both teams showing limitations in front of goal recently and a history of low-scoring meetings, this contest is likely to be closely fought, where defensive organisation and small moments of quality could ultimately determine the outcome. A 4—4—2 formation with Georges Mikautadze and Gerard Moreno in attack may be seen here.