Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Valencia remain in contention for a top eight finish and potential European qualification ahead of the final two matches, whilst Athletic Club have wrapped up a top five spot in La Liga.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Valencia preview: Magnificent year
Ever since the appointment of Valencia-born West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan on Christmas Eve, Valencia have been much-improved and had only lost to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid during his tenure until a midweek defeat.
Los Che suffered a 1-0 loss to relegation-battling Deportivo Alaves at the Mendizorroza up in the Basque Country the other day with Joan Jordan scoring a 79th minute winning penalty for the hosts.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Strong season
Athletic Club were dreaming and even expecting to be playing in the UEFA Europa League final at San Mames in a few days but that dream was crushed by Manchester United in a recent semi-final loss, losing by seven goals to one on aggregate against the Red Devils.
The Basque giants have now ensured UEFA Champions League qualification, though, with Ernesto Valverde’s side coming into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Getafe at the Coliseum thanks to goals from Gorka Guruzeta and Dani Vivian.
Valencia team news: Couple of doubts
Ahead of the visit of Athletic to Mestalla this weekend, Valencia have a couple of fresh injury doubts such as Dimitri Foulquier and Andre Almeida. They remain without centre-back Thierry Correia due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Cristhian Mosquera, Carlos Tarrega, Diakhaby, Jose Luis Gaya; Luis Rioja, Pepelu, Barrenechea, Diego Lopez; Rafa Mir, Hugo Duro
Unavailable: Correia (Injured)
Questionable: Foulquier (Injured), Almeida (Concussion)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Attacking issues
Key player Oihan Sancet has returned to full fitness for Athletic this week but they remain without brothers Inaki Williams and Nico Williams due to injury. Fellow attacker Alvaro Djalo is also unavailable due to illness for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Yeray, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Mikel Vesga; Alex Berenguer, Unai Gomez, Gorka Guruzeta; Maraon Sannadi
Unavailable: Inaki Williams (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Questionable: Alvaro Djalo (Illness)
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Valencia begin the 37th match day of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign sitting three points and three places outside of the top eight and the European spots. The Valencians have been magnificent in the last few months. Athletic, remarkably, have suffered just five defeats in the league and no team, not even champions Barcelona, have lost fewer than them in Spain’s top-flight. That makes it a tough test for Valencia but it could well be quite entertaining for the neutral at Mestalla.
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
