Athletic Club - Elche

Athletic Bilbao enter this matchday 5 clash at San Mames with momentum, having bounced back from a difficult start to the season with consecutive victories. Their recent 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid and a solid 2-0 success against Celta Vigo suggest a side finding its rhythm. In contrast, Elche face a challenging period as they search for their first win of the campaign. A narrow 2-3 defeat to Real Sociedad and a difficult loss to Barcelona highlight the defensive hurdles the visitors must overcome to stabilize their form.

With Gorka Guruzeta sidelined due to injury, Athletic Bilbao will rely on the attacking threat of Inaki and Nico Williams to test the Elche backline. The hosts hold a positive recent history in this fixture, including a 2-1 victory on 20 February 2026. As Elche look to tighten their structure, the expected XI featuring Matias Dituro and Thomas Lemar will need to withstand the pressure at San Mames to secure a result.