Athletic’s 0-1 loss to Espanyol in their most recent LaLiga home outing is further evidence that new manager Ernesto Valverde has his work cut out to establish the kind of consistency that has eluded them since their last UEFA group stage berth in 2017/18.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club welcome a club legend back to San Mamés in the form of Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola in pursuit of their fourth win from five LaLiga matches, which would seal their finest six-game start to a LaLiga season since 1993/94. Although as Vallecano were one of five bottom-half clubs, Athletic failed to defeat at home last LaLiga campaign; a record-breaking victory is by no means guaranteed. Athletic’s 0-1 loss to Espanyol in their most recent LaLiga home outing is further evidence that new manager Ernesto Valverde has his work cut out to establish the kind of consistency that has eluded them since their last UEFA group stage berth in 2017/18. Scoring four goals in each of their last two LaLiga away wins, including match openers inside the first half hour, demonstrates that there are goals in the side, but replicating that form at home has proved tricky.
Rayo Vallecano
Vallecano were considered one of the six most likely clubs to be relegated after collecting fewer points during the second half of the last LaLiga season than any other club. Expectations have been far exceeded already, though, as Vallecano equalled their best five-game start to a LaLiga season by way of points following their 2-1 home victory against Valencia, which proved a glorious way to celebrate Andoni Iraola’s 100th game in charge of the club. Perhaps the only thing that could be even sweeter for Iraola is to secure a clean sheet and victory against the club he represented more than 400 times as a player. More importantly for Vallecano, a shut-out would see them avoid their longest run without a LaLiga clean sheet since a 13–game period from January to April 2022.
He may need a bit of time to impact the scoresheet, but Alex Berenguer has scored after the 40th minute in all three of Athletic wins this LaLiga season. On the other hand, Isi Palazon’s match-opening goals in Vallecano’s two LaLiga wins have both been registered inside 40 minutes. The last ten H2Hs hosted by Athletic in all competitions have been drawn or decided by a one-goal margin.