Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from San Mames as Athletic Bilbao welcome Espanyol. The home side have drawn their last two in the league, but remain in fourth position in the table on 44 points. What's more, they are unbeaten in the league at home this season with nine wins and three draws from their 12 matches.

Espanyol, meanwhile, moved into the top half of the table with a 1-0 win over Granada last time out. That result also moved them eight points clear of the drop zone, but they have since dropped to 10th following other results this weekend. Their record on the road this season has been patchy, however, with two wins from their 11 matches, losing six times in the process.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Espanyol have won three of the last five matches, with the further two games ending in draws. The reverse match earlier in the season ended in a 3-2 Espanyol win in Barcelona, while Javier Aguirre's side thumped Bilbao 4-0 when the pair met at San Mames in the previous campaign.

TEAMS:

BILBAO: Iraizoz; Iraola, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Rico; Susaeta, Herrera, Ibai; Aduriz

ESPANYOL: Casilla; J.Lopez; Colotto, Moreno, Fuentes; Sanchez, D.Lopez; Stuani, Abraham, Simao; Garcia

Ya se empieza a llenar. Quedan 10 minutos #athlive pic.twitter.com/Vf3Yd62V8c — Álvaro Bohórquez (@BlogdeBori) February 16, 2014

So there we have it. Ibai Gomez comes into the Bilbao XI this evening, while Aritz Aduriz is handed the lone role in attack. Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos both drop to the bench. Espanyol, meanwhile, leave Jhon Cordoba on the sidelines, meaning that Stuani and Sergio Garcia both start. Right, the away side get the first 45 minutes underway at San Mames.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. The home supporters expect their side to continue their winning run in this stadium that is for certain. As expected, the early possession has come to Bilbao with the likes of Rico and Herrera enjoying plenty of the ball.

Herrera threatens to run behind the Espanyol defence following a floated pass from Rico, but the Spaniard had moved into an offside position. Espanyol break down the other end with Garcia moments later, but their skipper cannot find the run of Stuani. End-to-end football with four minutes on the clock as Ibai fires over the crossbar for Bilbao.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Garcia thumps one on the half-volley outside the box, but Iraizoz is on hand to make a wonderful save at the vital moment. Encouraging signs in the opening six minutes at San Mames.

Brilliant, just brilliant from Garcia as the Espanyol skipper drives into the Bilbao box before striking one into the bottom corner. San Mames has been silenced inside six minutes this evening.

Garcia has now netted 10 times for Espanyol in the league this season, which is a very impressive return for a team that don't score bundles of goals. Bilbao look for an immediate replay from a Susaeta corner, but Moreno is on hand to clear. Hardly time to take a breath in the opening 10 minutes of this La Liga contest.

The end-to-end period of the match continues as Javi Lopez produces a wonderful last-ditch clearance to deny Aduriz, who had found some space inside the Espanyol box. The tempo has been just sensational this evening as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals at San Mames.

Not too much in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but Bilbao have started to enjoy more of the ball, especially in wide areas. Twice Balenziaga delivers dangerous balls into the Espanyol box, but Moreno and Colotto take it in turns to clear the danger. Still 1-0 Espanyol with 14 minutes on the clock this evening.

As it stands, Bilbao would remain five points clear of fifth-place Villarreal, but tonight is a big opportunity for the Basque outfit to put some space between themselves and the Yellow Submarine. The home side continue to force the issue with high balls into the Espanyol box, but Casilla has not been too troubled thus far. The intensity has certainly dropped following a fast start.

MISTAKE! It's poor goalkeeping from Iraizoz as the Bilbao stopper fails to collect a deep cross from Lopez, but luckily for the home side it falls for a red and white shirt and not Colotto, who was in the proximity. Couple of nervous moments defensively for Bilbao thus far this evening.

CHANCE! Once again it is Garcia who causes a problem as the Espanyol forward breaks into the box before finding Stuani, but Iraizoz is on hand to make a fine point-blank save. Another Simao corner follows, but Bilbao resist the danger. Silent inside San Mames at the moment.

Again Garcia threatens as the Espanyol skipper twists and turns on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but this time the Bilbao stopper makes the save. The home side are down the other end with Rico moments later, but the midfielder is ruled offside following bright work from Herrera. End-to-end football with 23 minutes on the clock.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. A late one from Simao allows Bilbao the chance to deliver into the box, but Stuani clears with a towering header.

CROSSBAR! Wonderful chance for the home side to level as Aduriz throws himself at a cross from Susaeta, but his header crashes off the top of the crossbar. Espanyol goalkeeper Casilla had come and got nowhere near the cross. What an opening 27 minutes of football at San Mames.

SAVE! The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as both sets of players continue to clash. Susaeta kicks out at Moreno following a late challenge, but the official takes no action. Bilbao have a free kick outside the Espanyol box moments later, but Casilla tips Rico's header from the resulting set piece wide of the post.

Half-chance for Espanyol on the counter as Garcia collects possession outside the box before finding Javi Lopez, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Aduriz is booked for a late challenge on David Lopez as the referee continues to take centre stage. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining at San Mames.

Well, the opening 34 minutes of this match have just flown past. Espanyol have the lead, but the score could be 3-3 at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in terms of the final result. Bilbao continue to press for the equaliser in the latter stages of the first period.

If Bilbao win this evening then they will surpass their points total for the whole of last season, with 14 games remaining. That is an indication of their improvement under Valverde this season. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Bilbao continue to force the issue.

POST! It is Espanyol's turn to hit the woodwork as Stuani turns against the post from close range following bright work from Garcia once more. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. How on earth has this match only seen one goal?

Many had predicted that this would be a relatively straight-forward three points for Bilbao, but Espanyol had other ideas. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Iraola drives a low cross into the box, but Casilla is on hand to collect at the vital moment. We are into the latter stages of the first period at San Mames.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the first period with both guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. It is so delicately poised as another Bilbao attack comes to an end with San Jose's pass too long for Susaeta.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Espanyol leading 1-0 courtesy of a smart strike from Garcia after six minutes. Bilbao have had their moments, but it has been a half of football dominated by the visitors. Pulsating action at San Mames.

STATISTICS: The home side have shaded the possession with 55%, but they have managed just three attempts, one of which has been on target. That is in contrast to Espanyol, who have registered seven attempts, four of which have been on target. Just a reminder that Bilbao have not been beaten in the league at San Mames this season.

BENCH WATCH: Iker Muniain would be the obvious introduction from the Bilbao bench, while they also have the likes of Oscar de Marcos, Kike Sola and Erik Moran in reserve. Espanyol also have attacking options in the shape of Pizzi, Cordoba and Torje. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sevilla against Valencia - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway at San Mames.

One change for Bilbao at the interval as Erik Moran enters the field in place of Laporte, who seemingly picked up a knock in the latter stages of the first period. No changes for Espanyol, however, which is not much of a surprise. Let's hope for more of the same in this half. It has been a pulsating clash thus far.

Fast start to the second period from the home side as they pin Espanyol to the edge of their own box, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Ibai and Iraola both deliver crosses into the Espanyol box in quick succession, but the danger is cleared before Aduriz heads wide from an offside position.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the early stages of the half, but Espanyol have just started to enjoy more of the ball in the final third. Garcia continues to threaten with his movement inside the box, but the Spaniard cannot escape the clutches of San Jose following bright work from Stuani. Still 1-0 Espanyol with 52 minutes on the clock.

Opportunity for Bilbao to threaten from a free kick as Colotto fells Aduriz on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Ibai, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Sky Sports News have revealed that Bilbao defender Laporte picked up a calf injury in the first period, which led to his withdrawal at the interval.

Bilbao level just before the hour mark as Gurpegi heads an Ibai Gomez free kick into the back of the net from close range. Casilla came to collect but got nowhere near the cross from Gomez. Game on!

Well, that has changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. Little more than 30 minutes for Bilbao to find a winner here. That said, Espanyol remain a serious threat on the counter. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering making alterations.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Aduriz to send Bilbao into the lead as the Spaniard finds some space inside the Espanyol box, but Colotto makes a vital block. One-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third.

Bilbao continue to force the issue in wide positions, but twice in quick succession Ibai has delivered into the arms of Casilla. Moments later, Espanyol make their first change as Abraham is replaced by Alex. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.

Half-chance for Espanyol as Victor Sanchez finds some space outside the Bilbao box, but his effort is deflected into the arms of Iraizoz, who has been a spectator in the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sevilla against Valencia - be sure to remain with us for that.

San Mames is silenced as Colotto turns home from inside the box following a corner from Simao. Well, who predicted that?! Bilbao must come again on their own patch.

Colotto is forced into action down the other end as Susaeta delivers a dangerous free kick into the box, but the Argentine is on hand to clear the danger. The home side threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Moreno and Lopez take it in turns to clear. Little over 20 minutes remaining on this pulsating evening at San Mames.

Bilbao look to their bench for the second time this evening as De Marcos replaces Herrera. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third.

It is almost as if the home supporters are not sure what to make of this match. Bilbao were expected to really take control of fourth position this evening, but Espanyol have had other ideas. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of some sloppy passing in the final third.

Espanyol look to their bench for the second time this evening as the experienced Portuguese Simao is replaced by Pizzi, who will operate in a wide area. It is a surprise that Bilbao have not looked to introduce Muniain in the second half. Surely there are more goals in this La Liga contest with more than 15 minutes remaining.

Muniain is indeed introduced as the Spaniard replaces Susaeta, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. It is Espanyol that are enjoying more of the possession at the moment with Garcia and Pizzi linking in the Bilbao half. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at San Mames. The likes of Villarreal and Real Sociedad are hoping that Espanyol can hold on.

Half-chance for Aduriz as the Bilbao forward meets a cross from Ibai, but his header is straight at Casilla. Aduriz drives into the Espanyol box moments later, but the Spaniard loses control at the vital moment. Whistles around San Mames with 79 minutes on the clock. Is there to be late drama this evening?

Another half-chance for Bilbao as Rico meets a through pass from Aduriz, but Casilla is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The home side gain a free kick in their next attack as Victor Sanchez fells Iabi, but the resulting set piece Ibai is palmed over the crossbar by the Espanyol stopper, who is certain to be in for a busy last 10 minutes.

Espanyol have the chance to threaten from a free kick as Pizzi is felled by Iraola on the edge of the box. Pizzi steps up to take, but his effort is wide of the post. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the clock continues to run down. As it stands, Bilbao are heading for their first league defeat at San Mames this season.

CHANCE! Opportunity for Stuani to secure all the points for Espanyol following a swift break, but his effort is straight at Iraizoz from inside the box. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match with little under five minutes of normal time remaining.

Bilbao will finish the match with 10 men as Aduriz is handed his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a late challenge on Victor Sanchez. The resulting set piece is taken by Pizzi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Bilbao continue to threaten with a series of crosses, but Espanyol have been compact in defensive areas.

A deep corner from Muniain threatens Espanyol once more, but Casilla manages to claw clear at the vital moment. The away side make their third and final change moments later as pacey Colombian forward Cordoba enters the field in place of Garcia, who has been brilliant for his side this evening.

So there we have it. Espanyol end Bilbao's unbeaten run in this stadium in the league this season with a 2-1 success. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Sevilla against Valencia. Until then!