Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 1
Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
San Mames
Bilbao, Spain
Sunday, 17 August 2025
Kick-off is at 19h30
Athletic Bilbao will be hoping to make a better start to the new
La Liga season when they welcome Sevilla to San Mames on Sunday, August 17.
The Lions failed to win their opening two games of the 2045-25 campaign before they got going with a 1-0 victory over Valencia on 28 August 2024.
Ernesto Valverde's side finished strongly though, winning five of their final 10 matches to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after clinching fourth place.
The Basque outfit made just two signings in the off-season, bringing in right-back Jesus Areso from Osasuna and winger Robert Navarro from Real Mallorca.
The Palanganas endured a disappointing 2024-25 season, winning just 10 of their 38 games to avoid relegation by a single point after finishing in 17th position.
Joaquin Caparros, who had only taken over the reins from Garcia Pimienta in April, was subsequently relieved of his duties and Matias Almeyda succeeded him as head coach in June.
It was the Andalusian outfit's worst finish since their return to the Spanish top flight in 2001-02, having been relegated two seasons earlier when they ended rock bottom.
The corresponding fixture last term saw the two teams play out to a 1-1 draw on 29 September 2024 before Athletic ran out narrow 1-0 victors at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on 16 March 2025.
Athletic concluded their pre-season with a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on August 9 and Valverde declared it their toughest of the six encounters they played, having also been beaten 3-2 by Liverpool five days earlier.
"This was the hardest game we have played in this pre-season. I didn't think we will see a level this high already but they (Arsenal) were simply outstanding today. Liverpool was difficult also but this is another level," he said.
Almeyda is looking for consistency from his players as he attempts to get the team challenging higher up the table in 2025-26.
"This week marks the beginning of a dream for fans, directors and each one of us. In football, we go through the same seasons as the year; we go through winter, summer, autumn and spring, but the goal is to have a constant spring or summer," the Argentine said.
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Athletic wins - 3
Sevilla wins - 1
Draws - 1
La Liga Matchday 1 fixtures:
Friday, August 15
19h00: Girona v Rayo Vallecano
21h30: Villarreal v Real Oviedo
Saturday, August 16
17h00: Alaves v Levante
19h30: Real Mallorca v Barcelona
21h30: Valencia v Real Sociedad
Sunday, August 17
17h00: Celta Vigo v Getafe
19h30: Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
21h30: Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
Monday, August 18
21h00: Elche v Real Betis
Tuesday, August 19
21h00: Real Madrid v Osasuna
Kick start a non-stop world of sports
Start your sport beting journey with Betway Malawi and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and many more.
Join our Telegram Channel
Get way more with Betway. Enjoy the thrill of sports betting, casino games, and more. Join our community for tips, bonuses, and exciting offers. #BetwaySquad
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Telegram, Twitter and Instagram. Download the Betway App and start playing on the go!