La Liga | Gameweek 27

Mar 9, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

San Mames Barria

Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca

Match preview

It has been a damaging last week for Athletic, who saw their long La Liga unbeaten run come to an end against Atletico on 1 March, before losing 2-1 to Roma in the Europa League.

The Lions are still in a relatively good position ahead of next week's return leg at San Mames, but they are far from comfortable in fourth place in La Liga, four points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, who have a game in hand.

Athletic were unbeaten in La Liga since the start of October going into their clash with Atletico, but a second-half strike from Julian Alvarez proved decisive and Ernesto Valverde's side will now be looking over their shoulders.

Nevertheless, it has been an excellent league season so far, with the Catalans sitting in fourth place on 48 points, just six points behind third-placed Real Madrid, and in pole position to secure Champions League football next term.

Athletic have the third-best home record in La Liga in 2024-25, taking 28 points from their 13 matches, but Mallorca have won five of their 12 away games this season.

Mallorca go into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Alaves, which extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches, but they have only managed to win once during that period.

Jagoba Arrasate's side are firmly in contention for a European spot next season, sitting eighth in the standings, two points behind sixth-placed Real Betis with the same number of games (26).

The Pirates have struggled for goals this season, scoring just 25 in La Liga, but they have been relatively solid defensively, conceding just 32 goals, just seven more than Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Mallorca finished 15th in the Spanish top flight last season, but they are on course for a huge improvement this term and, as mentioned, they have won five of their 12 away league games in the 2024-25 campaign.

Four of the last five La Liga meetings between the two sides have ended in draws, including a 0-0 draw earlier this season, but Athletic won the corresponding fixture last season 4-0.

Recent Performance

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:DDWDWL

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):DWDWLL

Mallorca La Liga form:LLDWDD

Team News

Athletic will be without the services of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta due to suspension on Sunday, while Dani Vivian picked up an injury in the early stages of Thursday's Europa League clash with Roma.

As a result, there will be at least two changes to the side that kicked off against the Italians.

Aitor Paredes is expected to come in at the back, while Benat Prados is likely to start in central midfield, but there could be two more changes in attack, with Alex Berenguer and fit-again Oihan Sancet also in contention.

As for Mallorca, Johan Mojica is available after serving a suspension and is expected to return to the side, but a hamstring problem has left Robert Navarro a doubt for Sunday's match.

If Navarro is unavailable, Samu Costa is likely to come into the side, but Cyle Larin may have to settle for a place on the bench once again, with Dani Rodriguez in contention for a place in midfield.

Takuma Asano scored his first goal for Mallorca in the draw with Alaves last time out, and the experienced attacker should start again.

Possible starting lineup

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Yeray, Yuri; Prados, Jauregizar; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Berenguer

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Asano, Mascarell, Darder, Costa; Muriqi, D Rodriguez