La Liga 2025-2026: Espanyol-Athletic Bilbao, the probable formations

Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao take the field at 7 p.m. for the match valid for the 36th day of La Liga. The hosts have scored just one point in their last five games and are in full crisis, in third-last place in the standings tied with Girona: a win is needed to avoid sinking into the relegation zone. The Basques, ninth with 44 points, want to win to close salvation talks and continue to fight for Conference League qualification.

Kike Garcia is the Catalans’ lone striker (Jean should start from the bench), supported by Sanchez, Terrats, Jofre. In the midfield are Exposito and Gonzalez, the full-backs will be El Hilali and Romero.

Athletic is still without Nico Williams: Valverde relies on Guruzeta as the only forward with Inaki, Sancet, Navarro on the line of trequartists. In midfield are Ruiz and Jauregizar.

Espanyol-Athletic Bilbao, the likely lineups
Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Cabrera, Salinas, Romero; Exposito, Gonzalez; Sanchez, Terrats, Jofre; Garcia. All: Gonzalez.
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alavarez, Yuri; Ruiz, Jauregizar; Inaki, Sancet, Navarro; Guruzeta. All: Valverde.

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