Athletic Bilbao vs Elche preview - Elche target first win

Posted Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by PA

Elche will head to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday evening determined to claim a first win at San Mames and put a dent in their hosts' European aspirations.

Few would be willing to back them, with the teams at opposite ends of the table and Elche coming off a home defeat while Athletic enjoyed an away win.

However, defender Damian Suarez believes Elche's desire to end their winless record at the home of Athletic could help make up the difference.

"There is no point looking back," he said of their 1-0 loss to Granada. "We keep working hard. The team is thinking only of the game on Thursday. There are three important points and the fact we have not ever won there is an important motivation for us."

Elche midfielder Javi Marquez believes the team are better than their results so far have suggested, and pointed to the weekend loss to Granada as an example of luck deserting them.

"The team left everything on the field but it was not our day," he said. "We left the pitch very frustrated.

"The goal went the way everything seems to go and although we tried everything things would not go for us. Now we have another chance to catch up with those who have been doing well. Getting another win would be critical."

Athletic are in more buoyant mood as they sit fifth following a 1-0 win away to Getafe last time out, but they may line up against Elche without first-choice goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz, who is undergoing further evaluation after suffering a thigh injury in that match.