Athletic Club will be desperate to end the barren run when they host Celta Vigo on Saturday having slipped to the relegation zone following the heavy loss to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues suffered the first defeat of the season before the international break, but they, nonetheless, go into this match full of confidence.

Having largely impressed last season to qualify for the Champions League, Athletic were tipped to continue the rich vein of form this term, but they have utterly failed to live up to the expectations.

While eliminating Napoli to reach the Champions League group stages, the team have since largely struggled on all fronts, and are winless in last seven games.

Los Leones could only pick up one point from first two European fixtures, but what is even more worrying is their league form, with Ernesto Valverde’s side picking up one point from last five matches.

Athletic now desperately need a morale-boosting win in order to turn the season around and they are 2.00 (1/1) to defeat Celta Vigo at the weekend.

Ernesto Valverde has some selection concerns given that Gorka Iraizoz and Iker Muniain are struggling with fever and shoulder problem respectively, but both players could find their place in the starting line-up.

The good news is Aritz Aduriz and Ibai Gomez have resumed full training, although youngster Ager Aketxe is not yet ready to return.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz – De Marcos, Gurpegui, Laporte, Balenziaga – Mikel Rico, Iturraspe – Ibai, Benat, Muniain – Aduriz.

Even with the team showing a great deal of potential under Luis Enrique, new coach Eduardo Berizzo still needed to make sure the performances remain up to a high standard.

While keeping hold of all key players, the club management made several shrewd signings, with the Sky Blues hitting the ground running early on.

Celta went on to win three of first seven league fixtures while recording another four draws, before finally losing for the first time just before the international break.

The brilliant run came to an end as the Sky Blues were beaten at home by Villarreal, even if they had enjoyed a lion’s share of possession.

Celta will now be looking to pour more misery on out-of-sorts Athletic Bilbao and they can be backed at 4.33 (10/3) to win at San Mames.

Coach Eduard Berizzo will be without his starting centre-backs seeing as how Andreu Fontas and Diego Cabral are out injured, with the former also suspended for the clash.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Alvarez – Mallo, Jonny, Sergi Gomez, Planas – Krohn-Dehli, Radoja, Alex Lopez – Orellana, Larrivey, Nolito.