Image source: Getty Images
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 36
Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao
RCDE Stadium
Cornella de Llobregat, Spain
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Kick-off is at 18h00
Athletic Bilbao will attempt to keep their European hopes alive when they face out-of-sorts Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Wednesday, May 13.
The Lions have looked a pale shadow of the team that finished fourth in La Liga last season - their highest position in 11 years.
Ernesto Valverde's side have won just 13 of their opening 35 matches and a 1-0 reverse against Valencia on May 10 was their third defeat in five games.
The Basque outfit would've needed a miracle to catch sixth-placed Celta Vigo, but Spain gaining an additional UEFA Champions League berth due to their coefficient points in Europe this term has opened the door for another club to compete on the continent.
Athletic trail Getafe (7th) by just one point in ninth position and the Azulones are in even worse form after only picking up four points from their last five outings.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The Parakeets have been in freefall since the turn of the year, failing to win any of their 18 matches in 2026 to drop down to 14th in the standings.
Manolo Gonzalez's side could yet be dragged into a relegation scrap after a 2-1 loss to Sevilla on May 9 left them just two points clear of the danger zone.
No team has fared worse in 2026, with Espanyol collecting a pitiful six points out of a possible 54 since the league resumed after the festive break.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Valverde knows Athletic have to win their remaining three games to stand a chance of returning to Europe and has urged his players to keep fighting until the last.
"This season has been difficult and tough, but it's not over yet. We've still got games to play; we have to keep going," he said.
"We have to look ahead, behind us and in all directions. La Liga is very unpredictable and nobody knows how it will end. This year, the opposition aren't needing much to score, whereas we're struggling to find the net. That's been the pattern this season.
"We've got another chance on Wednesday. Here, we have to fight until the very end, fighting to ensure Athletic win their matches."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Espanyol wins - 2
Athletic wins - 2
Draws - 1
La Liga Matchday 36 fixtures
Tuesday, May 12
18h00: Celta Vigo v Levante
19h00: Real Betis v Elche
20h30: Osasuna v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday, May 13
18h00: Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao
18h00: Villarreal v Sevilla
20h30: Alaves v Barcelona
20h30: Getafe v Real Mallorca
Thursday, May 14
18h00: Valencia v Rayo Vallecano
19h00: Girona v Real Sociedad
20h30: Real Madrid v Real Oviedo
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