ATHELETIC BILBAO v SPORTING GIJON
Football : Spain : Primera
Saturday 5th January 2011

---

A close looking match up between two in form sides is in prospect in the Basque Country, but home advantage should give Bilbao the edge here.

Always strongest on their own patch, Bilbao have racked up 8 wins from 11 at home this season, and with confidence buoyed by three straight wins including an impressive win at Atletico last time out there is plenty of momentum about the hosts.

In order to back Bilbao at odds on prices you do need to overlook a couple of negatives.

Bilbao do throw in the odd howler even at home. A San Mames defeat to away strugglers Deportivo upset plenty of punters five games ago.

They also lost this fixture last season.

But over the medium term they do have a good record at home to Gijon, and despite recent impressive results Sporting are traditionally a team who pick up most of their points at home.

Of course there wasnt much away fragility on show when Gijon stuck four past with Mallorca without reply on the island last weekend. And preceding that, a home win over Atletico only adds to the confidence of the away side who, like Bilbao, arent conceding goals at the moment.

But this isnt a fixture where you would expect lightning to strike twice in such quick succession. Its a brave man who opposes Bilbao at home, and Im not about to start now.

This wont be comfortable, but take Bilbao to win.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Athletic 1 Sporting 0

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Bilbao 60% - Draw 30% - Gijon 10%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Athletic Bilbao to win at 1.73 at Canbet