Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao on and what time does it start? Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao will take place on Saturday 20th January, 2024 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao on in the UK? Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao in the UK? Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
VALENCIA
It was a season that was expected to involve yet another relegation battle but, instead, Valencia are going to try and mount a top seven challenge in the second-half of this season. Los Che did face disappointment in midweek, though, as they were beaten 3-1 by Celta Vigo at Mestalla in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
In La Liga, though, they head into this weekend sitting just two points off the top seven and the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying spot. Under the management of Ruben Baraja, Valencia hammered struggling Cadiz by four goals to one last weekend and that was their third successive league victory.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Last weekend, after Athletic Club dismantled his Real Sociedad side by three goals to nil in the Basque Derby, La Real manager Imanol Aguacil described Athletic Club as currently ‘the best side in the country right now’. They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots.
Their excellent derby day victory over Real Sociedad at San Mames was followed up by another derby win with a clean sheet at home as they comfortably defeated Alaves by two goals to nil. Those victories mean that Athletic have now enjoyed six successive victories across all competitions and they haven’t conceded a goal in that time. They are unbeaten in their last 14 games.
THE TEAM NEWS
VALENCIA
Valencia are without both Mouctar Diakhaby and Selim Amallah as they remain on international duty away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Gabriel, Gaya; Perez, Guillamon, Pepelu, Canos; Duro, Lopez
UNAVAILABLE: Amallah (International duty), Diakhaby (International duty), Almeida (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Gonzalez (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Despite their excellent form, Ernesto Valverde is having to deal with the absence of key attacker Inaki Williams who is with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Vesga; Berenguer, Sancet, N.Williams; Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Williams (International duty)
QUESTIONABLE: de Marcos (Injured), Yeray (Injured), Garcia (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Ruben Baraja’s Valencia have been strong and are enjoying a genuinely impressive run of results. However, there has been an argument and a question mark over their actual performances throughout the campaign. They now face an Athletic side that, under the management of Ernesto Valverde, will be hoping to truly kick on and cement their spot in the top four. Despite home advantage and their recent results, backing the visitors looks the way to go for this one in a game that could be quite entertaining.
TIP: ATHLETIC CLUB TO WIN & OVER 1.5 GOALS
