rcd espanyol - athletic (Football)

RCD Espanyol and Athletic Club are set to face each other in a historic La Liga match on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 14:00 CET at the RCDE Stadium. This encounter marks the 200th official meeting between the two clubs, a rivalry that has seen memorable moments such as Ismael Urzaiz's stunning bicycle kick goal in the 1998-1999 season and a Copa del Rey semifinal in 2015 where Athletic secured a 2-0 victory over Espanyol.

Team News:

• Athletic Club: Coach Ernesto Valverde has named a 23-man squad for the match. Notably, Óscar de Marcos is set to make his 560th appearance for the club, potentially equaling the record for the most matches played for Athletic.

         RCD Espanyol: Coach Manolo González has expressed dissatisfaction with the club's medical services, urging more efficiency in the recovery of players like Pablo Ramón, Gragera, and Pacheco. Despite these concerns, Brian Oliván and Pol Lozano are available for selection.

Pre-Match Insights:

• Athletic Club: The team is on a 14-match unbeaten streak in La Liga, with 8 wins and 6 draws. They have secured victories in their last three encounters against Espanyol, including a 4-1 win earlier this season. 

• RCD Espanyol: Currently in 17th place, Espanyol has struggled this season, with a recent 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad. They have not beaten Athletic at home since November 2018 and are aiming to improve their form to avoid relegation.

sportskeeda:

www.sportskeeda.com/football/espanyol-vs-athletic-bilbao-prediction-betting-tips-16th-february-2025
 

Special Initiatives:

In conjunction with International Childhood Cancer Day, both clubs will collaborate to raise awareness. Before the match, players will be accompanied by 22 children from the Fundación Aladina, each wearing a special commemorative shirt. The captains will also pose with match officials holding shirts bearing the message "EVERYBODY AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER."

This historic match promises to be a significant event, not only for the clubs involved but also for the broader community, highlighting the importance of solidarity and support for childhood cancer research.