Real Valladolid vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Real Valladolid have endured a difficult start to the campaign as they now welcome a strong Athletic Club side this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 10th November, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Valladolid vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: PRESSURE ON PAULO PEZZOLANO
As mentioned, Real Valladolid have been underwhelming since gaining promotion to the top-flight. The Castilla y Leon-based club begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the bottom three and the relegation places.
Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano is now under immense pressure as they come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Osasuna at El Sadar in their most recent outing last weekend thanks to a winning goal from Ante Budimir.
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: FINDING A WAY
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club side have been dealing with key injuries throughout the campaign and there could well be a suggestion that the Basque giants are struggling to deal with playing in both La Liga and the UEFA Europa League.
The UEFA Europa League is a priority, though, with the final of that competition taking place at Athletic’s home ground of San Mames in Bilbao. They came from behind to defeat Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad by two goals to one in midweek.
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: NO JUANMI LATASA
Summer signing Juanmi Latasa has picked up an ankle injury and is unavailable alongside Cesar De La Hoz with Turkey defender Cenk Ozkacar a doubt for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Hein; Lucas Perez, Jorge Sanchez, David Torres, Rosa; Mario Martin, Cumart; Anuar, Amallah, Raul Moro; Sylla
UNAVAILABLE: Cesar De La Hoz (Injured), Juanmi Latasa (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ozkacar (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: NO UNAI SIMON
Oihan Sancet has returned from injury but Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon has been out throughout the season and he remains unavailable with a wrist injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Alvaro Djalo
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured), Mikel Jauregizar (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL VALLADOLID VS ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTION
Real Valladolid have been poor throughout the campaign but two victories does mean they stay alive and ‘in’ the relegation battle, despite the growing pressure on Paulo Pezzolano. Athletic Club will be fatigued after travelling to Bulgaria in midweek and have a naturally small squad due to the constraints of their self-imposed ‘cantera’ recruitment policy. That said, it would still be a surprise to see the visitors turned over at Estadio Jose Zorrilla.
REAL VALLADOLID VS ATHLETIC BILBAO TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – ATHLETIC CLUB TO WIN OR DRAW
