Bilbao, Spain — Athletic Club go face Rayo Vallecano for crucial La Liga match on April 13, 2025, at 21:00 hours. After suffering a heavy 0-4 loss to Espanyol, Rayo seeks redemption against Athletic, who recently drew three games.
Ernesto Valverde, Athletic’s coach, plans to rotate his squad due to their upcoming Europa League match against Rangers. ‘We need energy on the pitch,’ Valverde stated, mindful of the injuries impacting team selections.
Rayo Vallecano, under Íñigo Pérez, finds themselves in a tight race for European qualification, just three points behind the eighth position. Despite recent struggles with only one win in their last seven outings, they aim to capitalize on Athletic’s focus on Europe.
The probable lineup for Athletic includes Unai Simón as goalkeeper, supported by Gorosabel, Núñez, Paredes, and Boiro in defense. The midfield features Vesga and Prados, while Iñaki Williams and Unai Gómez lead the attack alongside Berenguer and Guruzeta.
Rayo Vallecano will feature Batalla in goal and a defense line consisting of Ratiu, Lejeune, Aridane, and Chavarría. Pathé Ciss and Pedro Díaz will anchor the midfield, aiming to supply forwards Isi, Álvaro García, and Nteka.
Notably, Athletic has an impressive home record against Rayo, winning six of their last seven encounters at San Mamés. Meanwhile, Rayo has never managed three consecutive wins against any Basque teams in the top tier, raising the stakes for this match.
Valverde’s side sits in a comfortable fourth place, leveraging their points lead over Villarreal and Real Betis, who are competing directly against each other. In stark contrast, Rayo Vallecano needs a solid performance to maintain their European aspirations.
As both teams take the field, all eyes will be on how the dynamics of European football affect the game. Fans can expect an intense battle filled with tactical shifts and high stakes as both clubs vie for vital points.
