The Spanish striker is in the form of his life and having netted twice at the weekend he will be confident of doing so again against the inexperienced Bundesliga outfit

Athletic Bilbao welcome the surprise package of the Bundesliga last season to San Mames this evening, with Ausgburg set to enjoy their first taste of European football.

The side from Bavaria were playing in the fourth tier of German football 13 years ago, but achieved a best ever fifth placed finish in the Bundesliga last term to make their debut in the Europa League.

Athletic by comparison are experienced European campaigners and the Basques are 8/13 (1.62) favourites with Paddy Power for tonight’s game not only because of their pedigree but also perhaps because of the way their opponents have started the current season.

After the historic highs of the previous campaign Augsburg have picked up just a point from their opening four matches in the Bundesliga, although it should be noted that they did run Bayern Munich very close at the weekend before conceding two late goals to lose 2-1. The Germans are offered this evening at 5/1 (6.00) while the draw can be backed at 13/5 (3.60).

Looking back at Augsburg’s historic campaign last season, it is interesting to note that they only managed 43 Bundesliga goals which was only the 10th highest total in the division.

It the current campaign they have only netted twice in four matches, meaning that opposing both teams to score could be of interest, although the odds of 4/6 (1.65) may not appeal to everyone.

Instead we will delve into the goalscorers market and back Athletic’s Aritz Aduriz to net at anytime at 6/5 (2.20). The 34-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, delivering his highest ever league goals tally of 18 last season, before netting a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona, and grabbing a brace at home to Getafe at the weekend.

He is a striker that can do everything, blessed with intelligence, strength and a prodigious capacity in the air. Athletic have scored in 17 of their last 18 games at San Mames and they must certainly fancy their chances do so once against struggling opponents making their debut in the competition.

During that scoring run at home Aduriz has netted a remarkable 17 times and the odds for him doing so once more this evening are simply too good to miss.