April 29, 2012 3:00 PM BST
Estadio de la Romareda — Zaragoza
Team News
Zaragoza
Zaragoza's survival chances were dealt a huge blow last weekend as their
1-0 defeat at Mallorca leaves them still six points adrift with only
four games to go.
With that in mind Manolo Jimenez must go for the three points against
Athletic and he will be boosted by the return of Ruben Micael and Pablo
Alvarez from suspension.
Carlos Aranda and Ivan Obradovic are expected to miss out again through
injury though, so Abraham will continue at left-back, with Helder
Postiga leading the line in attack.
Probable lineups : Roberto, Abraham, Paredes, Silva, Alvarez, Dujmovic, Apono, Lafita, Micael, Garcia, Postiga. (4-2-31).
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic's dream of qualifying for the Champions League on the other
hand is alive and well after a second consecutive 1-0 win over Racing
Santander brought them to within four points of Malaga.
It is hard to judge how much, if at all, Marcelo Bielsa will rotate
following Thursday's Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon, but the
Argentine will be forced into at least one change as Jon Aurtenetxe is
suspended.
Fernando Llorente should definitely start after being rested against
Racing, even though his replacement Gaizka Toquero did notch just his
fifth goal of the season to hand the Basques all three points.
Probable lineups : Iraizoz, Iraola, Martinez, Jose, Amorebieta, Iturraspe, Perez, Susaeta, Marcos, Muniain, Llorente. (4-2-3-1).
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Probable Lineups Statistical
Comparision
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(28) 11
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Goals
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40 (49)
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(18) 9
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Assists
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23 (38)
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(0.7) 0.8
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Shots pg
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1 (0.9)
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(46%) 48%
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Aerial Duel
Success
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58% (56%)
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(0.3) 0.4
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Dribbles pg
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0.4 (0.5)
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(2.3) 1.9
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Tackles pg
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1.8 (2)
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Match Facts
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Athletic Bilbao's last 6 games in La Liga.
Zaragoza have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Athletic Bilbao in all competitions.
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Dec 17, 2011 | Athletic Bilbao 2 - Zaragoza 1 | |
Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Mar 2, 2011 | Zaragoza 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1 | |
Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Oct 17, 2010 | Athletic Bilbao 2 - Zaragoza 1 | |
Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Apr 18, 2010 | Athletic Bilbao 0 - Zaragoza 0 | |
Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Dec 12, 2009 | Zaragoza 1 - Athletic Bilbao 2 |
Zaragoza have lost just once in their last five at La Romareda, but overall their revival has hit the wall in recent weeks with three defeats in their last four.
Athletic, meanwhile, seem to have found a better balance between their European and domestic form as they have taken 10 points from the last 12 available.
The fact that Zaragoza really have to win should also suit Athletic as it will create space on the counter-attack for the likes of Muniain, Susaeta and De Marcos to exploit.
Zaragoza 1 - 2 Athletic Bilbao
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