Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: La Liga clash – prediction, facts and betting tips
A ninth-round La Liga clash between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao awaits us. The match will take place on Saturday, 17 October, kicking off at 21:00 CET. I have a betting tip for this fixture.
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: Match facts and H2H
- Valencia have won just one match this season.
- Athletic Bilbao have played only six La Liga matches this season.
- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in five consecutive matches this season.
- Athletic Bilbao have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.
- Valencia have the second-worst attack in La Liga, with just six goals scored.
- Valencia have the third-worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 15 goals.
- Both teams have suffered defeats without scoring in three of their last 10 matches.
- Athletic Bilbao have won two of their last 10 matches without conceding a goal, compared to one for Valencia.
- Valencia beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in their most recent head-to-head meeting.
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: Match preview
Valencia finished last season in fairly good form, but the team are struggling to produce positive results again this campaign. They currently sit in the relegation zone with five points from eight rounds. Valencia are 19th in the table and will once again be fighting to stay in La Liga. They are just one point behind 17th place, so all is not lost, especially considering that they have changed their head coach.
Athletic Bilbao have also changed their head coach this season. Ernesto Valverde left the club after last season, and Edin Terzic has now taken charge. The team have played fewer matches than their rivals. Athletic have featured in just six games and have collected eight points. They have two matches in hand and are six points behind fifth place, meaning the battle for European qualification is still ahead of them.
Predicted line-ups
- Valencia: Dimitrievski; Maffeo, Diakhaby, Haas, Gaya; Pepelu, Rodriguez; Otorbi, Guerra, Raba; Duro
- Athletic Bilbao: Simon; Areso, Alvarez, Laporte, Berchiche; Inigo de Galarreta, Gerenabarrena; Navarro, Canales, Berenguer; I Williams
Prediction
Athletic Bilbao and Valencia could deliver an entertaining performance, and I believe we are in for a goal-filled encounter. My betting tip is over 2 goals in this match.
