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After starting its league campaign with three consecutive victories, Bilbao is now without a win in its past three top-flight fixtures, the latest seeing it draw with Girona.

Ernesto Valverde's side is, however, only three points behind Villarreal in the early LaLiga standings, although the latter have made a flying start to its campaign.

Villarreal has taken 13 points from its first six games, its highest tally at this stage of a season since 2015-2016 during Marcelino's first spell in charge, when it finished fourth.

But Marcelino has struggled when facing Valverde. He has not won any of his past eight matches against his opposite number this weekend in LaLiga – drawn six, lost two.

It is his second-worst winless streak against a single manager in his entire career in the competition – Carlo Ancelotti between 2013 and 2025 was worse with 10 games that earned him three draws and seven defeats – which is why he is not underestimating Bilbao this time around.

"Yes, we are seeing, and we try to have as much information as possible to prevent injuries. We will continue like this," Marcelino said.

"We are seeing that mixing footballers and the performance of everyone is magnificent. This month is very important and to see what our competitive level is.

"Against Athletic, we face a very similar situation to the one we already had against Atletico [Madrid], and we will see if we have a better response.

"In these last games, they were able to reap different results. Just as perhaps in those three initial games, they could have had fewer good results.

"I think they are a super competitive team, difficult to score goals with a solid structure and they have first-class offensive arguments. He is going to demand the most from us."

Valverde, meanwhile, acknowledged Bilbao's recent run of results had not been good enough, but he should have confidence of turning things around this weekend.

He has won 14 of his 27 matches against Villarreal in LaLiga – drawn seven and lost six. Only against Getafe (18), Celta Vigo (16) and Sevilla (16) has he achieved more victories in the competition.

In between its three-game winless run in the league, Bilbao started its UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, despite impressing against the Gunners.

While Valverde knows improvements needed to be made, he insisted his players must put past results behind them and apply sole focus to the future.

"We've not been very fluid, and we have difficulties when the opposition sits back," he said. "It's a challenge posed by our opponents, and we must find a solution.

"In any case, tomorrow's match is against a different opponent. A very strong side, with impressive statistics and a contender to be towards the top of the table this season.

"They have moved on some big names, but they have also signed important players and have a large squad."