Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have two of the biggest clubs in Spanish football looking to bounce back from recent defeats meeting at Mestalla as Valencia welcome Basque giants Athletic Club.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / 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 – Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Valencia preview: A response is required
As captain Jose Luis Gaya outlined, Valencia had more time than anyone to prepare for last weekend with so few internationals, but Los Che still suffered yet another annihilation at the hands of Barcelona, losing by six goals to nil to the Blaugrana.
Valencia, under the management of former West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan, have been improving since his appointment, and they started this season reasonably well, but a reaction to last weekend is required this week.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Dealing with the UCL
Athletic Club, with Ernesto Valverde at the helm, have a small squad as a natural consequence of their Cantera policy whereby only Basque players can play for the club, and that is likely going to be an issue when juggling UEFA Champions League football.
They come into this one on the back of beginning the 2025/26 league phase of UEFA Champions League football with a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at San Mames due to second-half goals scored by Gabriel Martinelli and then Leandro Trossard.
Valencia team news: Fully fit
Unusually for a team in Europe’s top five leagues, Valencia head into a clash with Athletic with a fully fit and available squad and so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Julen Agirrezabala; Carlos Tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete; Foulquier, Javi Guerra, Santamaria, Jose Luis Gaya; Diego Lopez, Hugo Duro, Danjuma
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Still no Nico
Spain international winger Nico Williams rejected Barcelona over the summer to sign a new deal at San Mames, but he remains injured after picking up a groin issue on international duty earlier this month.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Mikel Vesga; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Ruben Navarro; Inaki Williams
Unavailable: Alex Padilla (Suspended), Yeray (Disciplinary), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Unai Gomez (Concussion), Nico Williams (Injured)
Questionable:
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Carlos Corberan’s style of football is known for playing on the front foot and playing with a lot of aggression, energy and intensity. They will need to match that with the energy of needing to show a response to their defeat the other day. They face an Athletic side that are lacking some key men for the counter-attack and will also want to juggle their key men after a European midweek. As a result, siding with Valencia would appear a good bet for this one at Mestalla.
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance – Valencia to win or draw
