Athletic Club Faces Getafe in La Liga Opener

Athletic Club is set to kick off their La Liga season on Thursday as they host Getafe at the Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain. Fans are eager to see if Athletic can secure a top-four finish after their strong fifth-place finish last season under manager Ernesto Valverde.

Last season was a big deal for Athletic Club, as it marked their best performance in a decade. They last reached the Champions League in 2013-14 when they finished fourth. On the other hand, Getafe is coming off a decent 12th place finish and aims to build on their performance from the previous year.

The match is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and the odds favor Athletic Club at -195, meaning bettors would need to risk $195 to win $100. Getafe is considered the underdog with odds of +650, while a draw stands at +270. The over/under for total goals in the match is set at 2.5.

In their previous encounters, Athletic Club has had the upper hand against Getafe, winning eight out of their last 20 matches. They have particularly dominated at home, losing only once in their last ten games against Getafe.

Athletic will have to cope without their star goalkeeper, Unai Simon, who is recovering from wrist surgery. His absence is a significant blow since he played a crucial role in Athletic’s last season and has been Spain’s No. 1 goalkeeper in recent tournaments.

However, Athletic Club features Winger Nico Williams, who is in great form after an impressive run at Euro 2024. Williams has attracted attention from big clubs, including Barcelona, showcasing his talent on the international stage.

Getafe also brings some firepower with Diego Rico, who recently signed permanently. Rico had a successful loan stint last season, leading the team in assists and showcasing his playmaking abilities from the left-back position.