Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from San Mames as Athletic Bilbao welcome Malaga. The home side are on a torrid run of form, while Malaga have also hit a mini-slump. Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...

TEAMS

BILBAO: Iraizoz; Iraola, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Rico, De Marcos; Susaeta, Aduriz, Ibai

MALAGA: Kameni; Angeleri, Torres, Weligton, Antunes; Camacho, Darder; Castillejo, Alberto, Horta; Guerra

So there we have it. Still no Iker Muniain for Bilbao, with the Spaniard's absence allowing Ibai Gomez to come in for a rare start. Oscar de Marcos is also included for the home side, as is Mikel San Jose, who will start in midfield. Ander Iturraspe and Benat, however, are both on the bench.

Malaga, meanwhile, continue with on-loan Cardiff City forward Javi Guerra in attack, while the Spaniard will be supported by Luis Alberto and Ricardo Horta. Duda and Nordin Amrabat are the surprise names on the bench, but Sergi Darder continues in midfield with Ignacio Camacho.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further clash ended in a draw. That draw occurred just three days ago in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final. Earlier in the season, however, Malaga beat Bilbao 1-0 at La Rosaleda.

Bilbao finished fourth last season, but they have really struggled this term. The Basque outfit have lost their last four in the league and are without a win in six, with that run of form leaving them 13th. They have won just five of their 19 league games this term – losing 10 times in the process.

Bilbao's home form has been disappointing, meanwhile, with just three wins from their nine matches - losing four times in the process. Last time out in the league, Bilbao were beaten 2-0 at Villarreal, but they also lost their last league game in this stadium – a surprise 2-1 reverse against newly-promoted Eibar. This afternoon, however, could act as a catalyst for Valverde's side.

Malaga, meanwhile, are without a win in three league games, but it has been an impressive campaign thus far. The club currently sit seventh in La Liga having taken 31 points from their 19 matches. Their home form has been strong with five wins, while they have also won four times on the road, which is just one fewer than Atletico Madrid have managed on their travels. It has been a good season.

Malaga, who lost 2-0 away to Sevilla last weekend, have conceded just 20 times in the league this term, which is up there with the best teams in the league. They have scored just 22 times, however, which may prove their downfall in the race for Europe. In truth, they are over-achieving at this stage of the campaign, but a top-half finish would prove a very successful campaign.

PREDICTION! This should be a fascinating contest at San Mames. On paper, Bilbao will fancy their chances of a win, but they have really struggled thus far this season. For Malaga, it has been quite the opposite. I am actually going to sit on the fence here and back an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the action underway.

Bright start from the home side as Rico immediately looks for the run of Susaeta down the right, but the midfielder is just crowded out at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in this type of match.

All the early pressure is coming from the home side, with Susaeta and Aduriz causing problems in the final third. Malaga break down the other end with Alberto, but his effort was wide of the post.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges. The latest foul from Antunes hands Bilbao a free kick in an advanced position, but the set piece from Ibai is headed clear at the far post by the sturdy Angeleri.

CHANCE! Bilbao come close to taking the lead as Etxeita comes close to meeting a corner from Ibai, but the defender just cannot make contact. Any touch would have taken that in!

BOOKING! Camacho (Malaga) picks up the first booking for a late lunge on Aduriz.

Another half-chance for the home side as Ibai drives past two defenders before attempting to beat Kameni at his near post, but the strike was always moving wide. Still goalless after 11 minutes.

It has been a little untidy in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the final third. All the pressure thus far, however, has come from the home team.

Pass, pass, pass from Bilbao as they continue to probe outside the Malaga box, but the away team have one of the strongest defensive records in the league this season and it is easy to see just why that is the case. At the moment, Malaga are very much set up to play on the counter-attack.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to take the lead as a loose ball falls to Castillejo inside the Bilbao box, but the midfielder cannot squeeze his effort under Iraizoz. Great save!

Bilbao remain a threat in forward areas, but Malaga have been strong in the centre of their defence thus far and have been able to deal with every high ball into the box. While Bilbao are in control of the possession, Malaga look to have a little more about them in the final third of the field.

Susaeta remains the most likely for the home side as he continues to pick up clever positions, but the final pass has not been there thus far. Still goalless with 22 minutes on the clock at San Mames.

Another half-chance for the home side as De Marcos drives past two Malaga defenders before attempting to move past Torres, but the full-back stands strong to clear the danger.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Rico flicks a deep Ibai free kick towards the top corner, but Kameni is on hand to make a very smart save. Better from the Basque side.

Ibai remains lively in a wide position for the home side, but another cross from the winger is straight into the arms of the Malaga goalkeeper. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock here.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Ibai delivers a wicked cross towards Rico, who looks certain to tap home, but Weligton is across to clear with an excellent block.

You just get the feeling that Bilbao need to take the lead during this strong period. Malaga have not been great thus far, but they will improve and that is where the test will come for the hosts.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in last few moments, but Malaga have started to gain a foothold with a period of possession. Still no real chances for the visitors, however, with Guerra again caught offside in a forward area. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.

Another half-chance for the home side as Ibai, who has been the best player on the pitch, delivers a wicked cross towards the head of Rico, but again the midfielder just cannot make contract.

Much better from Malaga as bright work from Darder brings a corner. The resulting set piece is played short before Angeleri delivers deep into the box, but it is a routine catch for Iraizoz.

Half-chance for Malaga as Castillejo finds space in a wide area before attempting to beat Iraizoz at his near post, but the Bilbao stopper is on hand to make the save. Still goalless here.

Iraizoz is again tested, but it is another routine save as Alberto fires one straight into the arms of the Bilbao goalkeeper. The home side are just struggling to retain possession of the ball here.

Another half-chance for the home side as Rico finds some space outside the box before striking on goal, but Kameni is on hand to make the save. Rico has looked then most likely thus far.

CHANCE! Aduriz is next to come close for the home side after meeting a corner from the right, but his header flashes wide of the post. Should have done a lot better from there.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the score level at 0-0. Bilbao have had the better chances, but Malaga have also had their moments on the counter attack.

STATS! The home side have just about shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had four attempts - just one of which has been on target. Malaga have also had four attempts, but hit the target twice. There has also been just one booking despite some late challenges.

BENCH WATCH! Bilbao have plenty of attacking options on their bench here, with the likes of Benat, Borja Viguera and Inaki Williams all in reserve. Malaga, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Nordin Amrabat, Duda and Juanmi. Plenty of talent on both benches this early evening.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a goal? Let's hope so! It is the visitors that get the second 45 minutes underway at San Mames.

No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will take place as the second half advances.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but both sides have been more than prepared to commit numbers forward. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive. Bilbao need to feed off this crowd here.

It's good work from Susaeta as the Spaniard moves past three Malaga midfielders before delivering a cross towards the far post, but it is fairly routine for Kameni, who immediately finds Darder.

Good possession for Malaga in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe outside the Bilbao box, but the latest attack comes to a closes when Weligton steps across to clear. Bilbao are down the other end moments later, but Rico cannot slide a pass into Ibai, who is dragged too wide.

Malaga want a free kick just outside the Bilbao box as Castillejo is chopped down by Laporte, but the referee plays advantage and Guerra clips a cross over the crossbar. The old advantage rule!

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of conceding possession in the final third. The referee, meanwhile, has been forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes remaining.

CHANCE! Bilbao come close to taking the lead as Aduriz fires one from outside the box, but Kameni is on hand to make the save. The match is starting to liven up here!

Bilbao have another half-chance as Susaeta delivers a dangerous cross towards Aduriz, who is so strong in the air, but once again Kameni is on hand to claim. Excellent goalkeeping there.

CHANCE! Just about Malaga's best chance of the match as Alberto finds Horta with a wonderful pass, but the midfielder's effort flashes wide of the post. He had to score!

Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings.

SUB! Malaga make their first change as Juanmi replaces Castillejo.

SUBS! Double change for the home side as Viguera and Unai Lopez replace Ibai and Iraola.

On the balance of things, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either side this evening and you just think that might be in the back of their minds. It is more 'do not lose' than 'win'.

Juanmi has been nice and busy since entering the field for Malaga, but the Spaniard has not been able to thread a pass into a teammate thus far. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and still the score remains level. You just get the feeling that one goal would be win it here.

What a big goal! Bilbao take the lead with 20 minutes remaining as San Jose rises at the near post before heading a corner past Kameni. This place has just erupted and why not. Lift-off!

Malaga have time to respond, but Bilbao are now looking for their second. Just a reminder that the home side have lost their last four in the league and therefore a win here would be a big result.

SUB! Malaga make their second change as Amrabat replaces Alberto.

All the pressure is coming from the home side at the moment, with Malaga struggling to break out of their own half. However, there is still time for the visitors to issue a late response here.

Victory for Bilbao would move them up just one place into 12th, but what it would do for their confidence is the most important aspect. That said, Malaga have been known to score late goals this season and they have players capable of netting. Nothing from them at the moment, though.

And there is the goal! Malaga level with little over 10 minutes remaining as Guerra converts at the far post following excellent wide work from Torres. Now then, what a conclusion we could have!

Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and we suddenly have a real game on our hands! Suddenly Malaga look the more likely, with Juanmi and Torres both advanced down the right.

A word on Guerra - it did not work out at Cardiff, but he scores goals. He showed it enough times during his spell with Real Valladolid. Malaga will reap the rewards this season I am sure of it.

Half-chance for the home side as Susaeta delivers a dangerous corner towards the middle of the goal, but Kameni manages to palm over his own crossbar. Little over five minutes remaining.

SUB! Bilbao maker their final change as Rico is replaced by Benat.

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, but neither side has managed to fashion a clear attempt on goal. A goal at this stage would be a winner, surely. Little over two minutes to play.

SUB! Third and final change for Malaga as Duda replaces Horta.

Bilbao have possession as we enter the final minute.

We are into the first of three additional minutes and Bilbao remain on the front foot.

Bilbao continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Kameni punches the first clear before the second is cleared. Time is running out for either side to find a winner.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two sides sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!