Atheltic Bilbao desperately need to return to winning ways or risk slipping into the danger zone, but ending Rayo Vallecano’s three-match winning run will be no easy task.

Los Leones were widely tipped to continue their uptrend in fortunes after reaching Europa League and Copa del Rey finals last term, but they have fallen well short of expectations.

Numerous problems during the summer clearly destabilized the team that had done so well last season, and prevented the team from hitting the ground running in the opening exchanges.

With most of the key players struggling for form, Athletic slipped into the bottom half of the standings and they now sit just six points above the bottom three.

Los Leones appeared to be back on track following back to back wins over Celta and Mallorca, but defeats to Real Zaragoza and Levante saw them return to the drawing board.

Athletic now face a very important match against in-form Rayo Vallecano, but we see little value in odds of 1.93 (37/40) offered at BetVictor on home win.

Realizing that desperate times call for desperate measures, boss Marcelo Bielsa is set to pair Fernando Llorente and Aritz Aduriz in attack from the kick-off.

Youngster Laporte misses out through suspension, but Carlos Gurpegui and Ander Iturraspe should return.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Iraizoz – Iraola, Ekiza, Amorebieta, De Marcos – Susaeta, Herrera, Gurpegi, Muniain – Llorente, Aduriz.

Many believed that Rayo would not be able to repeat another successful season after star player Michu left the squad in the summer, especially as the club officials failed to sign a much needed centre-forward.

However, all the other players did well to compensate for the departure of Michu, with Piti and Leo Baptistao scoring goals for fun in the first part of the season.

After winning their last three La Liga fixtures, los Franjirrorjos climbed to seventh in the overall standings, with fourth-placed Malaga now just three points in front.

With the players’ confidence now sky high, you should know Coral pays 4.50 (7/2) on Rayo Vallecano to make it four victories on the bounce.

Left-back Nacho Martinez is set for a six-week spell on the sidelines, whereas Labaka, Jose Carlos and Rodri are not yet ready to return.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Ruben – Tito, Galvez, Amat, Casado – Trashorras, Fuego – Bangoura, Dominguez, Piti – Leo Baptistao.

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