Athletic Club missed the opportunity to remain in the top 4 chase as they were beaten by Villarreal, and they now hope to improve their Europa League hopes.

Las Palmas all but secured La Liga survival by defeating Real Betis and they will now attempt to further improve their league position.

Once again, Athletic Club gave their best in three major competitions, but it looks as though their efforts will not be properly rewarded.

Los Leones crashed out of both Europa League and Copa del Rey, while their Champions League dream appears to have ended last weekend.

Athletic were beaten 3-1 at El Madrigal, even though the hosts had Victor Ruiz sent off half an hour into the second period, and they now need to try and pip Real Sociedad and Eibar to a top 6 finish.

That will be no easy task with just seven games to go, but los Leones have been made 1.50 (1/2) favourites to defeat Las Palmas on Friday.

There have been no fresh selection worries for in-demand boss Ernesto Valverde, but Ander Iturraspe and Iker Muniain are pushing for starting positions.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Kepa – De Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Laporte, Balenziaga – San Jose, Benat – Williams, Raul Garcia, Muniain – Aduriz.

Having virtually secured survival with seven games to go, Las Palmas can be quite happy with how the current season has panned out.

Los Amarillos enjoyed a very good start to the season, recording quite a few important wins, meaning that few more triumphs after the winter break proved enough for a place in mid table.

Successive home wins over Osasuna, Villarreal and Real Betis saw Las Palmas climb to 13th with 38 points, creating a huge 16-point advantage over the bottom three.

However, Las Palmas have largely struggled on the road, taking just one point from last eight away games, strangely holding Real Madrid to a 3-3 draw.

January recruit Jese Rodriguez has missed some training this week due to a virus, but he is expected to play at San Mames.

Pedro Bigas has resumed training with the squad, but Javi Castellano continues to miss out through a knee problem.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Lizoain – Michel, Lemos, Bigas, Dani Castellano – Roque Mesa – Tana, Vicente Gomez, Viera, Jese – Boateng.