La Liga | Gameweek 28

Mar 16, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao

Match preview

Sevilla have become a tough side to beat in recent times, losing just one of their last nine La Liga games (W3, D5). Their only defeat in that period came on 9 February, when they were thrashed 4-1 by Barcelona.

Since that defeat, the Andalusian club have shown great character with a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and a narrow victory away to Real Sociedad last Sunday.

Chidera Ejuke's second La Liga goal of the season was enough to earn Sevilla a 1-0 victory at the Reale Arena, their first away win over Real Sociedad since April 2021.

As well as extending Sevilla's unbeaten away run to five games, the result lifted them above Real Sociedad into 10th place in La Liga, five points clear of the top six with 11 games remaining.

They are now looking to win consecutive league games for the first time under Garcia Pimienta, but that may be easier said than done given that they have failed to win any of their last four games at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since beating Celta Vigo on 14 December..

Athletic will travel to Andalusia in high spirits after securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a successful last-16 clash against Roma on Thursday.

Trailing 2-1 from the away leg, Los Leones were boosted when Roma's Mats Hummels was shown a red card in the 11th minute of Thursday's home clash and they made full use of their numerical advantage, with Nico Williams scoring a brace and Yuri Berchiche heading home to seal a 3-1 victory.

The win kept Athletic's hopes of reaching the Europa League final, which will be played at their home ground of San Mames, alive.

Scottish side Rangers await in the quarter-finals, but for now Athletic will turn their attention back to securing Champions League qualification for next season, with Los Leones sitting fourth in La Liga with 49 points from 27 games.

Ernesto Valverde's side have failed to win in their last two league outings, losing 1-0 away to Atletico Madrid before drawing 1-1 at home to Mallorca last weekend.

They have also gone three La Liga away games without a win (D2, L1), although they can take heart from their last visit to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in January 2024, when they ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Mikel Vesga and Aitor Paredes.

Recent Performance

Sevilla La Liga form:DLWDDW

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:DWDWLD

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):DWLLDW

Team News

Sevilla defender Tanguy Nianzou remains sidelined with a thigh injury that has sidelined him since November.

On a more positive note, Nemanja Gudelj and Akor Adams are inching closer to a return to action, with the pair hoping to prove their fitness in time for Sunday's clash.

Pimienta could opt for consistency by naming the same team that started last Sunday's successful away trip to Real Sociedad.

Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga will be another option off the bench after returning from a four-match injury lay-off to make a substitute appearance at the Reale Arena.

The visitors will be without defender Dani Vivian and striker Oihan Sancet due to muscular injuries.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon will replace Julen Agirrezabala between the sticks, while centre-back Yeray Alvarez returns to the backline after serving a one-match ban for Thursday's Europa League win over Roma.

Valverde could make a number of other changes to freshen up his side, with Andoni Gorosabel, Benat Prados, Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta all in contention for a starting berth.

Nico Williams will be looking to continue his fine form after scoring five goals in Athletic's last five matches.

Possible starting lineup

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Carmona, Bade, Salas, Pedrosa; Sow, Agoume, Saul; Lukebakio, Ejuke, Romero

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; Gorosabel, Yeray, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta