With just one point separating the four sides in Group F of the 2016/2017 Europa League, both Athletic Club and Sassuolo will be hoping to improve their position with a good result at San Mames.

Los Leones currently sit one point in front of the Neroverdi, meaning they could secure their place in the next stage with three points.

Athletic Club have enjoyed a decent if not excellent start to the season, and they are in a good position in both major competitions.

Los Leones may occupy seventh position in the La Liga standings, but they are just two points behind fourth-placed Villarreal, meaning that Champions League places are not far away.

The Europa League campaign did not start according to plan as Athletic lost two of first three fixtures, but then came the amazing 5-3 triumph over Genk.

And while we are used to seeing los Leones take part in high-scoring affairs, the fact that 35-year-old Aritz Aduriz bagged each of those five goals will go down as one of the best individual performances in the history of the competition.

The hosts will now be relying on the veteran striker to help them beat Sassuolo as well and they are 1.44 (4/9) to succeed in their quest.

Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde will have to make do without Ander Iturraspe, who has suffered a muscle problem, while Ager Aketxe is out as well.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iago – De Marcos, Alvarez, Laporte, Balenziaga – Benat, Mikel Rico – Susaeta, Raul Garcia, Muniain – Aduriz.

Sassuolo have largely impressed since gaining promotion to Serie A, with some scintillating showings last term helping them secure Europa League qualification.

However, the team have clearly found it difficult to balance between domestic and European campaigns, as witnessed by their latest results.

Sassuolo enjoyed a strong start to the season, but have since suffered a serious dip in form, and they are currently on a seven-match winless run.

While losing four straight Serie A fixtures, the Neroverdi twice shared spoils with Rapid Wien in the Europa League, meaning they could struggle to match very good Athletic side.

Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco has welcomed back Matteo Politano from injury, but Domenico Berardi, Timo Letschert, Alfred Duncan and Stefano Sensi are all unavailable.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Consigli – Lirola, Acerbi, Peluso, Adjapong – Biondini, Pellegrini, Raguzza – Defrel, Matri, Politano.