Athletic Bilbao will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 14 matches when they face off against Girona at San Mames on Saturday afternoon. The Basque club currently holds the fourth position in the league standings, while Girona sits in seventh place, trailing sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano by just one point in the race for European qualification.
Athletic Bilbao has had a strong campaign so far, accumulating 41 points from 22 matches with 11 wins, eight draws, and three defeats. Ernesto Valverde's side remains in contention for a Champions League spot, sitting just four points behind third-placed Barcelona. Additionally, they have already secured a place in the Europa League knockout stages, showcasing their impressive form this season.
Despite only managing two wins in their last five league games, with back-to-back draws against Leganes and Real Betis, Athletic's 13-game unbeaten streak in La Liga dates back to October. It all began after their last defeat, which interestingly came at the hands of Girona in a 2-1 loss.
Athletic Bilbao has been solid at home, boasting the third-best home record in the league with 22 points obtained from 11 matches. However, Girona has a slight historical advantage in this fixture as they have lost just one of their last five La Liga meetings with Athletic, including a memorable 3-2 victory at San Mames during the 2022-23 campaign.
Girona may be coming into this game with renewed confidence after breaking a four-game losing streak with a crucial 2-1 win over Las Palmas. The victory propelled Michel's side to seventh place in the league, still in contention for a European qualification spot. While the team has found it challenging to replicate last season's success, a top-six finish would still be a significant achievement considering their relatively short time in the top-flight.
On the road, Girona has struggled, collecting just 12 points from 11 away matches. Going up against an Athletic side that has suffered only one home defeat this season presents another tough challenge for Michel's men.
The kickoff time for the highly anticipated match is set for 4:15 PM Nigerian Time on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the iconic San Mames Barria. With both teams eager to secure a positive result, fans can expect an exciting and closely contested battle on the pitch. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling La Liga encounter between Athletic Bilbao and Girona.