Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla begin their La Liga campaign at San Mamés on Saturday 22 August at 17:00, and the early read is that this could be a close opening-night contest. Athletic Bilbao finished 12th last season with 45 points from 38 matches, while Sevilla ended just behind them in 13th place on 43 points, so neither side arrives with the momentum of a top-half finish.
The meeting also comes with last season’s final results still fresh in mind. Athletic Bilbao went out with a 4-2 defeat away to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Sevilla signed off with a 2-1 home victory over Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The most recent head-to-head went Sevilla’s way too, as they won 2-1 at home, which helps frame this as a game where margins may matter more than reputation.
Sevilla’s summer activity adds intrigue
One of the main talking points is the difference in how the two clubs approached the summer. Sevilla, under Luis Garcia, were more active in the transfer market, while Athletic Bilbao’s situation appears more settled. That can cut both ways early in a season: freshness and new options can help, but cohesion often matters just as much in the first few weeks.
That is one reason this fixture will be watched closely by supporters and bettors alike. The recent numbers suggest neither side has been dominant for long stretches, and with both clubs having spent much of last season in the lower half of the table, the opening match at San Mamés offers an immediate chance to set a better tone.
Confirmed lineups give the game a clear shape
Athletic Bilbao’s confirmed side includes Julen Agirrezabala, Jesus Areso, Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche, Mikel Vesga, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams, Inaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta and Unai Gomez. Sevilla’s confirmed lineup includes Orjan Nyland, Juan Iglesias, Kike Salas, Gabriel Suazo, Nemanja Gudelj, Lucien Agoume, Djibril Sow, Gerard Fernandez, Adnan Januzaj, Akor Adams and Oso.
That gives Athletic Bilbao the look of a familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, with Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams likely to be central to their attacking threat. For Sevilla, the balance is different, but the presence of Januzaj, Sow and Akor Adams gives Luis Garcia a blend of control and direct threat. For a game with limited margin for error, the first goal could be decisive.
Recent team trends from the previous 10 games also point to a competitive contest. Athletic Bilbao are listed with four wins, two draws and four defeats, while Sevilla’s previous 10 showed five victories and five defeats. Athletic Bilbao averaged 1.3 goals, 4.0 shots on goal and 12.3 attempts, while Sevilla averaged 1.1 goals, 3.2 shots on goal and 11.8 attempts, which suggests both teams have had to work hard for their chances rather than overwhelm opponents.
There is also a clear contrast in control and defensive numbers. Athletic Bilbao posted 47.5% possession and 405.7 passes on average in that sample, while Sevilla averaged 43.7% possession and 331.4 passes. Athletic Bilbao’s defensive record included one clean sheet, and Sevilla also managed one clean sheet, which again points to a game where both sides have usually been capable of creating openings without becoming fully reliable at the back.
For Athletic Bilbao, the main question is whether the familiar structure can deliver a cleaner performance at home. For Sevilla, the issue is whether the extra summer movement translates into sharper play straight away. Either way, this is a fixture that should tell us something useful about where both clubs stand at the start of the new campaign.
