Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla: How Nico Williams Could Prove the Difference at San Mames

Bilbao will host Sevilla in the LaLiga opener after a poor pre-season, while Sevilla arrive unbeaten and Athletic dominate head-to-head.

Athletic Bilbao will be determined to kick off the 2025/2026 LaLiga season with authority when they welcome Sevilla to the famous San Mames.

The opening fixture, scheduled for 20:30 local time and officiated by Francisco Jose Hernandez, presents both sides with a chance to set the tone for the long campaign ahead.

Athletic start in seventh position in the pre-season standings, while Sevilla are placed sixteenth, with both clubs beginning on equal footing — no points, no goals scored, and no goals conceded.

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The Lions enjoyed a strong 2024/2025 league season, finishing fourth on 70 points, which secured Champions League football for the first time in over a decade.

Sevilla, in contrast, narrowly escaped relegation by just one point, ending in seventeenth place, and their new manager Matias Almeyda has been tasked with steadying the ship.

Contrasting Pre-Season Journeys

Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic side come into this match under a cloud of poor pre-season results.

The Basque club have lost six of their seven friendlies, including defeats against Arsenal, Liverpool, Racing Santander, and PSV Eindhoven.

Such form has created doubts about whether their strong competitive performances last season can be carried into this new campaign. Still, the retention of star forward Nico Williams, who was heavily linked with Barcelona but signed a fresh deal, provides fans with optimism.

Alongside his brother Iñaki Williams, and supported by Alex Berenguer, Athletic’s frontline still looks capable of troubling any opponent.

Sevilla, on the other hand, approach the opener in much brighter spirits. Almeyda’s team only suffered one loss across seven pre-season matches, picking up valuable draws against the likes of Marseille and Toulouse, and producing a convincing 4-2 victory over Schalke 04.

A summer that saw the arrival of Gabriel Suazo, Alfon Gonzalez, and goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has refreshed the squad, while Dodi Lukebakio remains a key attacking threat after scoring eleven league goals last term.

Predicted Lineups

Athletic will field a strong lineup despite some notable absentees. Yeray Alvarez is suspended, while Unai Egiluz, Benat Prados, Oihan Sancet, and Unai Gomez are sidelined through injuries.

Valverde is expected to hand Jesus Areso a start at right-back, with Robert Navarro also pushing for minutes following his move from Mallorca. The Williams brothers will spearhead the attack, supported by Berenguer, while Ander Ruiz de Galarreta will anchor the midfield.

Athletic Bilbao possible XI: Simon; Areso, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams; Sannadi

For Sevilla, the situation is less clear, with up to six players facing late fitness tests, including Loic Bade, Joan Jordan, and Tanguy Nianzou.

New signing Suazo is expected to debut on the left flank, while striker Kwadwo Adams should partner Lukebakio in attack.

Almeyda will rely on the balance of Nemanja Gudelj and Lucien Agoume in midfield to neutralize Athletic’s press and maintain stability.

Sevilla possible XI: Nyland; Salas, Carmona, Marcao; Sanchez, Agoume, Gudelj, Suazo; Sow; Adams, Lukebakio