Athletic Bilbao kick off their 2025-26 La Liga season on Sunday evening with a high-profile clash against Sevilla at San Mamés. Both clubs endured vastly different fortunes last campaign—Athletic sealing Champions League football while Sevilla only narrowly avoided relegation.
Match Preview
Athletic Bilbao enjoyed an excellent 2024-25 season, finishing fourth in La Liga with 70 points from 38 matches (19 wins, 13 draws, 6 defeats). Their top-four finish ensures a return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, a milestone moment for the Basque club.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde has worked under the club’s traditional Basque-only recruitment policy, which restricts transfer options, but Bilbao still made two signings: Jesús Areso from Osasuna and Robert Navarro from Mallorca. The real success, however, was keeping hold of Nico Williams, who was heavily linked with Barcelona but instead signed a new contract.
Despite last season’s strong finish, Athletic enter this opening fixture on shaky footing. Their pre-season form has been dismal, losing six of their seven friendlies, including a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Valverde will hope that poor preparation doesn’t carry into competitive action.
Sevilla, meanwhile, endured one of the most difficult seasons in their modern history, finishing 17th in La Liga—their worst since being relegated in 1999-2000. They survived by a single point, narrowly avoiding an unthinkable drop to the Segunda División.
The club has since appointed Matías Almeyda as head coach, luring the Argentine away from AEK Athens. Under his guidance, Sevilla have shown signs of recovery in pre-season, losing just once in seven matches while collecting two victories.
Los Nervionenses have also bolstered their squad modestly, adding Alfon González and Gabriel Suazo on free transfers and securing Odysseas Vlachodimos on loan from Newcastle United. With star winger Dodi Lukebakio still in the squad after his 11 La Liga goals last season, Sevilla will hope to rebuild confidence and consistency.
Form Guide
- Athletic Bilbao pre-season form: L L L L L L
- Sevilla pre-season form: L D W D W D
Team News
Athletic Bilbao are set to hand a debut to Jesús Areso at right-back, with the 26-year-old expected to slot straight into the XI. The attack will once again be spearheaded by brothers Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams, with Álex Berenguer likely to support.
However, Yeray Álvarez is suspended, while Unai Egiluz, Beñat Prados, Oihan Sancet, and Unai Gómez are all sidelined through injury.
For Sevilla, new signing Gabriel Suazo should make his debut at left-back. Almeyda has several injury doubts, with Loïc Badé, Chidera Ejuke, Joan Jordán, Ramón Martínez, Tanguy Nianzou, and Isaac Romero all needing late fitness assessments.
Key forward Dodi Lukebakio is expected to start after his standout campaign last season, while striker Adams is tipped to partner him in attack.
Predicted Lineups
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):
Simón; Areso, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Sannadi
Sevilla (3-4-1-2):
Nyland; Salas, Carmona, Marcao; Sánchez, Agoumé, Gudelj, Suazo; Sow; Adams, Lukebakio
Prediction
Sevilla desperately need a fresh start after last season’s struggles, and Almeyda’s arrival could provide stability. Their positive pre-season hints at improvement, but San Mamés is one of La Liga’s toughest away venues.
Athletic boast a settled side with proven quality in attack through the Williams brothers, and their Champions League return adds an extra layer of motivation. Despite their poor pre-season, they should have too much for Sevilla in front of their home supporters.
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Sevilla