Football Bet of the Day: Cordoba won't like it in the Lions' den

Athletic Bilbao v Cordoba
Saturday 17:00

Fiorentina held Juventus to a goalless draw in Italy yesterday, ending the champions' winning run at four, but extending this column's hot streak to, er, two.

Today we move to Spain, where one of the few La Liga games not to be televised in the UK has caught our eye.

As Athletic Bilbao's interest in the Champions League has waned, their domestic performances have improved. The Basques are on an unbeaten run of six in La Liga, winning four of the last five.

This afternoon they welcome Cordoba to San Mames. In their first top-flight campaign for decades, Miroslav Djukic's team are the only winless team in Spain.

Home and away, the Andalusians have managed to draw 6/6 with teams now placed 12th and below. Against sides now in eighth and above, they are W0-D1-L6. The margin of defeat was more than just a single goal in five of those six losses.

Since Ernesto Valverde took the reins at the start of last season, more than half of Athletic's home wins have come by margins of two goals and up (9/16).

Recommended Bet
Back Athletic Bilbao -1.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 2.47/5 v Cordoba