Valencia and Athletic Bilbao will lock horns at the Estadio de Mestalla in a Spanish La Liga clash. Both teams are looking to bounce back from defeats last time out, and the visitors will be counting on their solid record in this fixture.
Valencia have endured a poor start to the season with only one win from their opening four league matches. They suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat at Barcelona in their previous La Liga fixture.
The positive for Valencia is that they have been solid at the Mestalla and are unbeaten in their two home matches this season. Carlos Corberan's men are also unbeaten in five of their last six league matches in front of their fans, stretching back to last season.
Athletic Bilbao come into this clash off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on match-day one of the UEFA Champions League. That was the second straight defeat for Ernesto Valverde's men following a 1-0 home defeat to Alaves last time out in La Liga.
The good news for Athletic Bilbao is that they have won three of their four La Liga matches this season. They have also won their last three La Liga away matches, stretching back to last season and claimed a 2-1 victory at Real Betis in their only league fixture on the road this term.
How the bookies view it: Bilbao with the edge
Athletic Bilbao have the edge among the bookies and are priced at 11/8 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Valencia is valued at 15/8 while a draw is set at odds of 19/10.
Head to head: History favours Valencia
Valencia have a 27-21 advantage with 21 draws from 69 previous matches against Athletic Bilbao. However, the visitors have won three of the last four fixtures and claimed a 1-0 victory in last season’s meeting at the Mestalla.
Players to watch: Sancet the man to watch
Oihan Sancet scored 17 goals last season and remains a major attacking threat for Athletic Bilbao. The midfielder is already off the mark this season and alongside Inaki Williams can produce over 1.5 goals for the visitors (Athletic Bilbao over 1.5 goals – valued at odds of 1/3).
Hugo Duro and Arnaut Danjuma have caught the eye for Valencia this season, with both men already on the score sheet. They can combine to ensure the hosts score over 1.5 goals – priced at 2/5 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups:
Valencia have no injury worries and Julen Agirrezabala is expected to remain in goal, with Mouctar Diakhaby and Jose Gaya in defence. Baptiste Santamaria is set to start in midfield, while Luis Rioja could join Duro and Arnaut Danjuma leading the line.
Athletic Bilbao are currently dealing with injuries as Nico Williams, Benat Prados, and Unai Egiluz are among the list of sidelined players. Daniel Vivian and Aitor Paredes should continue defence, while Williams Sancet and Maroan Sannadi are also set to feature.
Valencia: Agirrezabala, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Tarrega, Gaya, Guerra, Santamaria, Lopez, Rioja, Duro, Danjuma
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche, Jauregizar, de Galaretta, Williams, Sanchet, Berenguer, Sannadi
Anything else catch the eye?
Athletic Bilbao have won at least one half in four of the last five matches against Valencia (Athletic Bilbao to win either half – offered at 4/5 with BoyleSports). The hosts have also scored first in three of the last four meetings (Athletic Bilbao to score first – available at 20/21).
Three of the last four matches between both teams have produced more goals after the break (Second half most goals – set at odds of 11/10).
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