Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal UCL prediction, lineups, TV channel and betting tips

With the 2025/26 season now underway, Europe’s elite competition gets started this midweek and UEFA Champions League football is returning to the Basque city of Bilbao.

After an impressive few years under Ernesto Valverde, Athletic will now hope to take Europe by storm at San Mames. They were beaten by Deportivo Alaves in a Basque derby at the weekend but they will still head into this one with confidence and excitement.

Arsenal spent heavily over the summer to try and compete on all fronts and end their now five-year trophy drought. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have collected nine points from their opening four Premier League games, most recently easing past Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

The Sporting News has all the latest odds, tips and predictions for this clash at San Mames in Bilbao in Spain this weekend.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal prediction 

Athletic will want to avenge their UEFA Europa League humiliation at the hands of Manchester United in the semi-finals in May, ending hopes of winning European silverware at their home ground.

What that game did show is that, without key men such as Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, Athletic lack quality in the final third – and the latter is missing this week. They perhaps also got themselves too up for things and it wouldn’t be a shock if that was the case once again, with a maturing Arsenal side more than capable of taking advantage of that.

The Sporting News Score Prediction:

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

• Arsenal are among the favourites for both the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League title.
• Athletic will have to be cautious in attack as Nico Williams remains unavailable.
• Arsenal have some injury issues of their own, too, with concerns over captain Martin Odegaard.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal lineups

Here's how we think these two sides this weekend. Mikel Arteta has been granted a deeper squad this season and he may have to use it, whilst Athletic have a decision to make on just how front foot they are without Nico Williams.

Athletic predicted lineup to play Arsenal

(4-2-3-1, right to left)

• Unai Simon (GK) — Jesus Areso, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche — Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta — Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams — Gorka Guruzeta

Injured: Unai Egiluz, Inigo Lekue, Benat Prados, Nico Williams
Suspended: Yeray

Arsenal predicted lineup to play Athletic

(4-3-3, right to left)

• David Raya (GK) — Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino — Madueke, Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli

Injured: Saliba (doubt), Norgaard (doubt), Odegaard (doubt), Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus
Suspended: None

Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal latest odds, correct score betting

Arsenal are the favourites at 1.92 with Dafabet. The draw is out at 3.55 with Athletic underdogs for the game with the bookmaker at 4.25.

Our 0-2 prediction is at good odds with Melbet but here's the best available odds for four of the other most likely results. 

*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal team news

• Aymeric Laporte has not been registered in Athletic’s UEFA Champions League squad after his move from Al Nassr was confirmed way after the deadline due to an issue with the paperwork.
• Nico Williams remained at San Mames over the summer but the Spain international winger sustained an injury whilst with La Roja over the international break.
• Arsenal head into this one with a few major concerns, with both William Saliba and Martin Odegaard seemingly set to be unavailable to start for the visitors.
• As well as those crucial absentees, Arsenal are also still without key man Bukayo Saka, alongside fellow attackers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal: Live stream, TV channel

• Date: Tuesday, September 16
• Venue: San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
• Time & TV/Stream: 10:15 p.m. | Sony Sports Network