Match Pack: Athletic Club vs UD Almería (LaLiga MD9)

LaLiga action returns to Bilbao as Athletic Club look to head into October's international break with a win over UD Almería. San Mames hosts LaLiga EA Sports' bottom side UD Almería, who will be desperate to get a first victory of the campaign.

An important match for both teams: three points could strengthen Athletic's grip on the top six, while the Andalusians, anchored to the foot of the table, are already four points from safety.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs UD Almería

San Mames, Bilbao

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 9)

Friday October 6, 21:00 CEST

How to Watch
Check out our global TV guide to watch the match wherever you are in the world.

Team News
Valverde has named a 22-man squad.

Peru Nolaskoain and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta remain on the sidelines and are joined by Mikel Vesga.

Unai Gómez is in after recovering from injury and Oihan Sancet returns to the fold after serving a one-match ban for his red card against Getafe CF.

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Valverde's Comments
The gaffer urged his Lions to get back to winning ways before the international break with a strong performance at The Cathedral.

The Opponents

Head coach: Alberto Lasarte

Straight into the fire for Mr. Lasarte who took over from the recently sacked Vicente Moreno on September 29 after Almería's 5-1 away loss to Sevilla. Lasarte, 42, had no previous experience managing in the top-flight but has been working with Almería's youth side since 2018.

Recent form: LLDLD

It's been a shaky start to the season for the Andalusians who are yet to put a notch in the win column this term. Besides their last outing, they've only picked up points against Valencia CF and Cádiz CF

Previous Meetings
The two sides have only ever faced each other 14 times in the top-flight, the first meeting a 1-1 draw back in 2007/08. Athletic have registered nine wins, three draws and two losses against the Andalusian outfit.

The Zurigorri have an impressive home record against Almería, with five victories, one draw and one loss from seven fixtures. The biggest win came in 2013/14 under Ernesto Valverde, with Los Leones running out 6-1 victors in Bilbao.

The last five meetings at The Cathedral are quite indicative of Athletic's recent superiority in this fixture. Stretching back over a decade, Los Leones have won all five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just three in the process.

Los Leones romped to a 4-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season. Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet had Athletic 2-0 up at half-time, before Nico Williams and Mikel Vesga, from the spot, completed the rout after the break.