Sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao will see the clash against fourth-placed Villarreal as the final opportunity to kick-start their top 4 bid, with los Leones trailing their next opponents ten points at the moment.

Ernesto Valverde’s charges are paying the price for an unbelievable mentality that forbids them from taking any game lightly, and it is by no means easy to successfully compete on three major fronts.

Team’s Copa del Rey campaign ended with a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Barcelona, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Namely, Athletic now have a chance to revive their Champions League bid in La Liga, and at the same time attempt to reach the final stages of Europa League.

Back to back wins over Eibar and Getafe saw los Leones climb to sixth in the league standings and they can be backed at 1.83 (5/6) to make it three on the bounce.

Athletic appear to have rediscovered their home form having won five of last seven league fixtures at San Mames (D2), and they will be looking to extend the run against Villarreal.

First choice keeper Gorka Iraizoz is doubtful with a fever, but Iker Muniain is back in contention after recovering from injury. Oscar De Marcos is banned, where Ibai Gomez and Raul Garcia are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iago – Lekue, Gurpegui, Laporte, Balenziaga – San Jose, Rico – Williams, Benat, Susaeta – Aduriz.

With 16 games to go, Villarreal boast an eight-point advantage over the nearest rivals for the final Champions League berth, but they clearly cannot afford to relax just yet.

The Yellow Submarine have exceeded expectations this season given that the squad had undergone major changes in the summer, and they now sit mere three points behind mighty Real Madrid.

It was Athletic Bilbao that eliminated Villarreal from Copa del Rey, winning both legs of the high-profile tie, and no doubt they will now want to get revenge on los Leones.

The problem is that Marcelino’s side haven’t been too impressive on the road, losing four of last nine away matches in all competitions.

Denis Suarez and Jaume Costa have both recovered from their respective injuries and they should be in contention for starting places.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Areola – Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Jaume Costa – dos Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Denis Suarez – Bakambu, Soldado.