Rayo Vallecano head to Bilbao for a La Liga showdown with Athletic Club as Gameweek 2 heads toward its penultimate fixture. Both sides burst out of the blocks in Gameweek 1: Rayo hammered Girona 3-1 on the road, while Athletic edged Sevilla 3-2 in a pulsating San Mamés encounter.
Rayo have already taken their 2025-26 European adventure seriously. Iñigo Pérez’s side won their first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff against Neman Grodno 1-0, a result that flattered little given Rayo’s dominance in the tie—they out-shot their opponents three to one and controlled 75% of the ball.
Athletic Club present a stern challenge, built on depth and consistency. They finished in the top five last season and have retained most of their key names, including Nico Williams, who famously resisted a move to Barcelona this summer by signing a long-term contract with his hometown club.
Historical angles also tilt in Athletic’s favor. Rayo have beaten Athletic only once since September 2021, and their away form against the Lions has been particularly troublesome—Rayo have lost seven of their last eight trips to Bilbao. By contrast, Athletic have struck 3+ goals in four of their last five home matches against Rayo. With the firepower at their disposal, Athletic could be set to threaten again.
Look out for the Williams brothers for Athletic. Iñaki Williams has found the back of the net in four of his last six home meetings with Rayo, while Nico Williams has contributed in four of his last four clashes against Los Franjirrojos. Rayo won’t be short of threats, though: Isi Palazón, Jorge de Frutos, and Álvaro García can trouble Athletic on the counter, making this a tactical battle as much as a test of firepower. If the match stays tight, Rayo have a real chance; if it opens up, Athletic look likelier to emerge with the points.
Team News
Athletic Club
– Valverde is likely to name a near-full-strength squad. Nico Williams came through Sevilla with a knock but is expected to be fine. Oihan Sancet misses out due to a knee injury, with a return anticipated after the September international window.
– Midfielders Benat Prados and Unai Gómez are sidelined until late September. Yeray Álvarez remains suspended after a doping test in July.
Rayo Vallecano
– Rayo come into the match with generally good health. Starting centre-back Abdul Mumin is out with a cruciate ligament injury.
– Luiz Felipe started the season in defense but was substituted at halftime in the first league match, so Pelayo Fernández could be given the nod. Vertrouwd is also an option to cover.
Likely approach and key players
– Athletic will lean on their pace and width on the flanks, aiming to exploit space behind Rayo’s pressing lines. Nico Williams’ electrifying carries and Iñaki Williams’ goal threat will be central, backed by a compact defense and swift counters.
– For Rayo, the emphasis will be on discipline and transition. If they can dampen Athletic’s rhythm and hit on the break, they can frustrate the home side and perhaps steal a result.
Match details
– Where: Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao
– When: Kick-off at 6:30 PM BST (9:00 PM CEST) on Monday, August 25, 2025
– How to watch: Premier Sports 1 (UK) and ESPN+ (US)
What this means going forward
– This fixture is an early-season benchmark for both teams: Athletic’s home strength against Rayo’s away resilience and counter-attacking threat. A victory would reinforce Athletic’s title-chasing ambitions and help them establish momentum; a result for Rayo would underline their growing European pedigree and their capacity to challenge top sides on the road.
Summary
– A high-stakes, high-intensity tie that could set the tone for the early portion of the La Liga campaign. Expect an intricate tactical battle, with Athletic aiming to exploit home advantage and Rayo seeking a repeat of their counter-attacking efficiency from the opening weekend.
Positive spin
– Both teams arrive in strong form, eager to prove their early-season success isn’t a flash in the pan. The emergence of players like the Williams brothers and the continued development of Rayo’s squad bodes well for an entertaining season ahead.