athletic bilbao - online sports 

FOOTBALL -ORBAIZ READY FOR CRUNCH CLASH

Both sides' chances of survival have improved considerably since January when they made coaching bets.

Athletic and Mallorca chose to bring in tried and tested former trainers in soccer players Javier Clemente and Gregorio Manzano, respectively.

However, such is the level of competition at the bottom of the table that one defeat could put either side back in trouble.

Athletic are now unbeaten in five games and last weekend maintained the distance between themselves and strugglers Alaves with a 0-0 draw in Vitoria.

Mallorca, meanwhile, have only lost once since they where humbled 3-0 by Barcelona at the end of January but a high percentage of draws means they are still only one place above the relegation zone.