Espanyol Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao 13 May 2026 Prediction

Espanyol have gone 18 straight matches without a win, and the relegation zone is getting closer with every round. Athletic are fighting for Europe, but their form has been inconsistent.

In the first half of the season, Manolo Gonzalez’s team produced a surprise 3-1 win in Bilbao. Can the Basques get revenge and continue their push for a Conference League place?

The Slide Continues

After the 1-2 loss to Sevilla, Espanyol’s management released a statement confirming that Manolo Gonzalez will remain in charge until the end of the season. Still, 18 matches without a win is a major problem, and the club continues to fall while its rivals have improved late in the season. The defense is struggling badly, with 53 goals conceded in the league, so relegation is becoming a more realistic threat.

Away from home, Espanyol have looked slightly better. By xG, they rank in the top seven in La Liga at 1.29, and they have scored 20 goals in 18 road matches. But the defensive problems remain: 30 goals conceded away from home. Espanyol can create chances, but they cannot defend well enough, and that is pulling Gonzalez’s team down.

Europe Is in Doubt

The Basques are already looking ahead to next season, when Edin Terzic will take charge. But the current question is whether Athletic can still qualify for Europe this season. The situation is difficult, as the team is in unstable form and has lost three of its last five matches.

Athletic’s main problem is poor finishing. Their xG is 1.45, but they average only 1.1 actual goals per match. Away from home, the picture is even worse: four wins in 17 road matches, while a broader defensive crisis has led to 31 goals conceded away from home.

Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Predicted Lineup

Espanyol (4-3-3): Dmitrovic — El Hilali, Riedl, Cabrera, Romero — Terrats, Edu, de Zarate — Sanchez, Garcia, Milla

Out: Puado (injured), Ngonge (doubtful), Calero, Dolan (both suspended for yellow-card accumulation)

Manager: Manolo Gonzalez

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon — Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro — Jauregizar, Galarreta — I. Williams, Gomez, Berenguer — Guruzeta

Out: Prados, Sancet, N. Williams (all doubtful)

Manager: Ernesto Valverde

Stats and Trends

• Espanyol average 4.71 corners per match in the current La Liga season, while Athletic average 5.83. Over 9.5 total corners is worth considering.
• Espanyol players receive an average of 2.24 yellow cards per match in the league, while Athletic average 2.14. Over 3.5 total yellow cards also looks interesting.

Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Espanyol to Win at 2.71

• Main Pick: Espanyol are due for a win. The team has received a boost from management, which publicly backed Gonzalez. Athletic’s poor away run, with three losses in their last four road La Liga matches, improves the hosts’ chances. The head-to-head record at Espanyol’s home ground also favors the Catalan side, as Athletic have won only one of the last nine meetings there. The logical option is Espanyol to win at 2.71.
• Goals Pick: These are two teams whose defenses have been far from reliable this season. The hosts have conceded 53 goals, while the visitors have allowed only two fewer. Given the pressure on both sides and their motivation, both teams should have scoring chances. This outcome has also landed in the last four head-to-head meetings between Espanyol and Athletic. The pick is Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.79.
• Correct Score Pick: We expect Athletic to struggle under Espanyol’s pressure. The Catalans have historically made things difficult for the Basques at home. The visitors have conceded 10 goals across their last four away league matches, and even modest attacking side Getafe scored twice against Valverde’s team. Still, Athletic should not be held scoreless, as they have scored six goals during that same stretch. The correct score pick is 2-1 to Espanyol at 8.00.