Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 25
Athletic Bilbao v Elche
Estadio San Mames
Bilbao, Spain
Friday, 20 February 2026
Kick-off is at 22h00
Athletic Bilbao will be looking to build on only their ninth La Liga win of the season when they welcome struggling Elche to San Mames on Friday, February 20.
The Lions have really battled to replicate their form from last term which saw them finish in the top four for the first time in 11 years to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Ernesto Valverde's side arrested a six-match winless run with a 4-2 success against relegation-threatened Levante on February 8 and they beat rock-bottom Real Oviedo 2-1 seven days later to record back-to-back victories in the league for only the second time in 2025-26.
Athletic moved up to ninth place in the standings, level on 31 points with Real Sociedad (8th), who suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid on matchday 24.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Los Franjiverdes made a surprising start to the campaign following their promotion, going unbeaten in their opening seven games to sit in the top half of the table.
But their form has dropped off since October, winning just two of their next 17 outings and Eder Sarabia's side are still searching for their first victory in the new year after playing out to a 0-0 draw with Osasuna on February 13.
It was their first point in four matches and the Alicante outfit find themselves in 16th spot, tied with Rayo Vallecano (17th) on 25 points and just one above the drop zone.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Athletic came from behind to claim all three points in Oviedo and Valverde admitted they had to go more offensive in the second half after the Blues dominated proceedings before the break.
"You could feel the tension," he said. "These are three very valuable points given what was at stake.
"The first half wasn't our best and they were on top. We had to go all out in the second half and we adopted a more competitive attitude. In the end, we got the result.
"The most urgent thing is to get points, and we need to play well and have the right attitude to do so. Results are a consequence of how we play.
"We're in a difficult situation because the teams behind us are pushing hard. We have to beat Elche on Friday."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Athletic wins - 2
Elche wins - 1
Draws - 2
La Liga Matchday 25 fixtures
Friday, February 20
22h00: Athletic Bilbao v Elche
Saturday, February 21
15h00: Real Sociedad v Real Oviedo
17h15: Real Betis v Rayo Vallecano
19h30: Osasuna v Real Madrid
22h00: Atletico Madrid v Espanyol
Sunday, February 22
15h00: Getafe v Sevilla
17h15: Barcelona v Levante
19h30: Celta Vigo v Real Mallorca
22h00: Villarreal v Valencia
Monday, February 23
22h00: Alaves v Girona
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