Athletic Club vs Villarreal Betting Odds, Tips, Predictions, Preview 12th April 2026

Athletic Club welcome Villarreal on Sunday in the LaLiga, with the host motivated by the possibility of closing the gap in the table on the visitors. On the other hand, the latter could distance themselves even further with a win in this exciting round 31 match.

While Villarreal are now third in the LaLiga table after collecting 58 points in 30 rounds, Athletic Club trail them on 38 points. This leaves them as number 11 in the table after 30 rounds played.

With both Athletic Club and Villarreal coming off disappointing defeats in their previous outing, we could be in for a cautious battle. Both will be eager to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

Athletic Club only average a modest 1.3 goals per game in their last ten matches in this tournament, in which they scored 13 goals. They also conceded 15 for an average of 1.5 per game. They kept their opponents from scoring zero times.

When it comes to goal-scoring Villarreal are not the most prolific side. They scored a sustainable 17 times in their previous ten matches, making it 1.7 goals per game. They conceded 14 goals for an average of 1.4 a game, achieving a clean sheet in one of these matches.

The last time these two teams faced off against each other, Villarreal came away as 1-0 winners. No doubt they are planning a similar outcome this coming Sunday.

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Prediction

Athletic Club Form

Showing inconsistent form, Athletic Club lost two of their past three matches, going down 3-0 against Girona, before beating Real Betis 2-1. The joy was short-lived, as Getafe proved too strong in a 2-0 defeat. Athletic Club claimed a middle-of-the-road three wins in their previous six matches on home soil in the LaLiga. They also drew one and lost two, as they scored ten and conceded eight goals.

Villarreal Form

Villarreal have a win and a draw to show from their last three matches. They first finished even in a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves, before they won a game against Real Sociedad with a 3-1 scoreline. Unfortunately for them, this was followed by a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Girona. Villarreal claimed just one win from the last six away games in the LaLiga. They also drew two and were defeated three times, as they were outscored by ten goals to six.

Both Athletic Club and Villarreal have been scoring freely over the past weeks, and we anticipate a very entertaining match. They usually throw caution to the wind, when clashing with each other.

Athletic Club fought their way to three wins and nine points from their last eight games against teams inside the top six. They were on target five times in these matches, but also let in 13 goals. Athletic Club are looking at a record of 11 wins, five draws and 14 defeats in the LaLiga this season. Villarreal are looking at 18 wins, four draws and eight defeats in the LaLiga.

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Squads

Athletic Club Squad

Ernesto Valverde will choose the starting lineup for the upcoming game against Villarreal from the players listed below (the information in the brackets refers to goals scored and matches played in the LaLiga this season):

Alex Padilla (0/0), Unai Simon (0/30), Aitor Paredes (1/17), Andoni Gorosabel (0/16), Aymeric Laporte (0/19), Daniel Vivian (1/25), Inigo Lekue (0/9), Jesus Areso (0/24), Jon De Luis (0/0), Unai Eguiluz (0/0), Yeray Alvarez (0/0), Yuri Berchiche (0/26), Alejandro Rego (1/21), Benat Prados (0/2), Efe Korkut (0/0), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (1/27), Mikel Jauregizar (2/29), Mikel Vesga (0/20), Nico Williams (4/20), Oihan Sancet (3/23), Robert Navarro (5/24), Selton Sanchez (0/7), Unai Gomez (1/20), Adama Boiro (0/9), Alex Berenguer (2/25), Asier Hierro (0/0), Gorka Guruzeta (6/27), Inaki Williams (2/22), Maroan Sannadi (1/9), Nico Serrano (1/13), Urko Izeta (0/11).

Villarreal Squad

Below is the full team squad of Villarreal. The manager Garcia will pick his starting XI against Athletic Club from these players:

Arnau Tenas (0/3), Diego Conde (0/0), Luiz Junior (0/27), Alex Freeman (0/5), Alfonso Pedraza (1/23), Ismael Sierra (0/0), Juan Foyth (0/13), Logan Costa (0/0), Pau Navarro (0/18), Rafa Marin (1/18), Santiago Mourino (1/23), Sergi Cardona (0/24), Willy Kambwala (0/0), Alberto Moleiro (9/29), Carlos Macia (0/4), Daniel Parejo (0/24), Hugo Lopez (0/2), Mahamoud Barry (0/0), Pape Gueye (4/24), Renato Veiga (0/26), Santi Comesana (3/28), Tajon Buchanan (6/28), Thomas Partey (0/19), Alfon Gonzalez (1/15), Ayoze Perez (2/18), Georges Mikautadze (9/25), Gerard Moreno (8/16), Nicolas Pepe (5/29), Pau Cabanes (0/0), Tani Oluwaseyi (2/23).

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Team News

Villarreal have five on the list of injured and absent players before their next match against Athletic Club on Sunday. Alfonso Pedraza, Pape Gueye, Daniel Parejo, Georges Mikautadze and Pape Gueye can't be called upon by Villarreal, as they are all sidelined with a suspension.

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Lineups

Athletic Club vs Villarreal H2H

The last time the pair played each other Villarreal came away as 1-0 winners, and rest assured they have a similar outcome in mind this coming Sunday. Athletic Club enter the match against Villarreal with a 4-4-2 record in their previous ten encounters. A win rate of 40%, which is perhaps worth keeping in mind before you make a choice for your next accumulator, depending on your betting strategy.

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Results

A high scoring match is a fairly rare occurrence when Athletic Club face Villarreal as under 2.5 goals happened in seven times in the last ten matches. Under 2.5 goals is best priced at odds of 19/20 with the bookies.

Athletic Club vs Villarreal Betting Tips

Gorka Guruzeta is the most prolific LaLiga marksman for the home team, scoring twice recently. Villarreal look to Nicolas Pepe, hoping he can add to his current total of two LaLiga goals in his latest games.

Athletic Club claimed four wins, drew two and lost four of their previous 10 home matches across all tournaments. Villarreal won two, drew two and lost six of their last 10 games away. Strap yourselves up for a goals at San Mames since both teams scored in six of the last 10 home matches for Athletic Club. The same occurred in six of the last 10 league games away from home for Villarreal.

Under 2.5 goals happened three times in the last ten encounters between these two rivals. Athletic Club managed an average of 1.2 goals, with Villarreal averaging 1.2 goals in these. Both teams not to score was a winning bet four times in this run of matches. Over 2.5 goals happened in five of Athletic Club’s last ten matches across all tournaments. They pulled off an average of 1.1 goals during this run. Of the last ten games for Villarreal, seven had more than 2.5 goals, while they managed to score an average of 1.7 times goals per game.