Athletic Club vs Espanyol Prediction and Stats | La Liga Gameweek 13
La Liga · Friday 20 November 2026 · 20:00 UTC · San Mamés Barria, Bilbao · updated 2026-11-13
Athletic Club welcome Espanyol to San Mamés Barria in Bilbao in La Liga Gameweek 13 action on Friday 20 November 2026, kick-off 20:00 UTC.
Athletic Club have played 11 matches in La Liga this season, scoring 1.4 and conceding 1.0 goals a game and winning 36% of them. At home they average 1.8 goals scored and 0.8 conceded over 6 matches, with a 75% win rate. Espanyol have played 12 matches in La Liga this season, scoring 1.1 and conceding 1.2 goals a game and winning 25% of them. Away from home they average 1.2 goals scored and 1.2 conceded over 6 matches, with a 67% win rate.
On Moneyball's model, from this season's numbers, Athletic Club are narrow favourites at 49%, with the draw at 28% and Espanyol at 23%.
Moneyball's estimate
- Expected goals: Athletic Club 1.45, Espanyol 0.92.
- Over 2.5 goals: 42% · both teams to score: 47%.
- Most likely score: 2–0 (10%).
From each side's goals and expected goals this season (Sportmonks), pulled toward the league average while a side has played few matches (11 and 12 so far), through a Dixon-Coles score model.
Athletic Club: form and key numbers
In style Athletic Club keep the ball, press high, create plenty of chances.
- Expected goals: 1.72 a match created, 1.23 conceded (goals minus xG: -4.0).
- Shots: 14.9 a match, 4.1 on target.
- Possession: 54.6% on average.
- Clean sheets: 45% of matches (60% at home).
- Both teams scored in 45% of their matches.
- Corners: 5.6 a match.
- Discipline: 1.9 yellow cards a match, 2.0 reds.
- Average Sportmonks player rating: 6.87.
Espanyol: form and key numbers
In style Espanyol play long and direct.
- Expected goals: 1.19 a match created, 1.23 conceded (goals minus xG: -1.2).
- Shots: 11.8 a match, 3.4 on target.
- Possession: 47.0% on average.
- Clean sheets: 33% of matches (50% away).
- Both teams scored in 58% of their matches.
- Corners: 3.1 a match.
- Discipline: 3.3 yellow cards a match, 1.0 reds.
- Average Sportmonks player rating: 6.76.
Athletic Club vs Espanyol: season averages side by side
| Athletic Club | Per match this season | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Matches | 12 |
| 1.4 | Goals scored | 1.1 |
| 1.0 | Goals conceded | 1.2 |
| 1.72 | Expected goals (xG) | 1.19 |
| 1.23 | xG conceded | 1.23 |
| 14.9 | Shots | 11.8 |
| 4.1 | On target | 3.4 |
| 54.6 | Possession % | 47.0 |
| 45% | Clean sheets % | 33% |
| 45% | Both teams scored % | 58% |
| 5.6 | Corners | 3.1 |
| 1.9 | Yellow cards | 3.3 |
| 6.87 | Average rating | 6.76 |
Players to watch
Athletic Club
- Álex Berenguer LWF · Creative winger · Moneyball Score 66 · Gets into scoring positions, Chance creator (top 5% of his position)
- Yuri Berchiche LB · Inverted full-back · Moneyball Score 64 · Secure passer, Ball circulator (top 3% of his position)
Espanyol
- Ángel Fortuño GK · Shot-stopper · Moneyball Score 62 · Shot-stopper, Box defender (top 6% of his position)
- Edu Expósito CMF · Playmaker · Moneyball Score 60 · Chance creator, Dribbler (top 11% of his position)
Scouting spotlight: Nico Williams
Nico Williams, 24 · Athletic Club · LWF · Inside forward · Moneyball Score 69
Nico Williams, 24, plays as a winger for Athletic Club in La Liga. Strongest for his role in expected goals and dispossessed. Weakest in fouls won. Moneyball Scout, the engine behind our Scouting Players Research, rates him against every winger in Europe's top five leagues - and this is what he does better than almost all of them.
Percentile against his position on each figure: 50 is the average winger, 90 the top tenth.
Positions he can play
- LW · Winger Natural, 69
- RW · Winger Accomplished, 65
- LM · Wide midfielder Competent, 41
Where he is strongest
| Figure | His number | Better than |
|---|---|---|
| Expected goals | 0.39 / 90 | 89% |
| Dispossessed | 0.58 / 90 | 88% |
| Shots | 3.07 / 90 | 80% |
| Key passes | 1.90 / 90 | 71% |
| Accurate crosses | 0.88 / 90 | 70% |
Roles he suits
- ★★★½ Inside forward Winger
- ★★★ Classic winger Winger
- ★★★ Wide playmaker Wide midfielder
Scout's notes: Gets into scoring positions, Press-resistant, High shot volume.
- What Nico Williams is worth on the market, and the most a club should pay
- How many league points he would add to your club (Win-Rate Impact)
- The players who play like him, cheaper - the Replacement Finder
- His chemistry with your squad, his fit with your style, his projection by age
Open Nico Williams's full file Moneyball Scout from $39 a month
Athletic Club vs Espanyol prediction
Athletic Club should have more of the ball, with Espanyol likely to sit in a compact block and look to break; Athletic Club press high to win the ball back; Espanyol go long and direct. Moneyball's model expects about 2.4 goals - 1.45 for Athletic Club and 0.92 for Espanyol - with over 2.5 goals at 42% and both teams scoring at 47%. Athletic Club have the stronger numbers, and we expect them to make home advantage count.
Prediction: Athletic Club 2-0 Espanyol
Athletic Club vs Espanyol: what the numbers say
- 1. Athletic Club unbeaten (win or draw) 77% between them
- 2. 2 goals or fewer 58% by the model, 2.37 goals expected
- 3. 4 or more cards the two sides average 8.2 cards a match between them
- 4. 9 or more corners 8.7 corners a match between them
Statistical leanings from the data, not certainties.
The full analysis
Moneyball reads every match in full: win, draw and loss, the most likely scores, goals and both teams to score, with the players who decide it.
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Athletic Club vs Espanyol: questions and answers
When is Athletic Club vs Espanyol?
Athletic Club vs Espanyol is on Friday 20 November 2026, kick-off 20:00 UTC, in La Liga Gameweek 13.
Where is Athletic Club vs Espanyol played?
At San Mamés Barria, Bilbao, Athletic Club's home ground.
Who will win Athletic Club vs Espanyol?
Athletic Club are the favourites: Athletic Club 49%, draw 28%, Espanyol 23%. Our prediction is Athletic Club 2-0 Espanyol.
Who is the player to watch in Athletic Club vs Espanyol?
Nico Williams of Athletic Club: a inside forward with a Moneyball Score of 69 against every winger in Europe's top five leagues.
How many goals will there be in Athletic Club vs Espanyol?
Moneyball's model expects about 2.4 goals, with over 2.5 goals at 42%.
Tags
Moneyball is a football statistics site. No model predicts football reliably: every figure is an estimate.