Valencia started the La Liga season in great form, but two losses in the space of a week has the team reeling. Now, Jose Bordalas’s team host Athletic Bilbao at Mestalla on Saturday afternoon, seeking to end their losing streak.
Athletic Bilbao are seventh in La Liga with nine points from 18 possible. Marcelino’s team is coming off of its first loss of the campaign in midweek, 2-1, to Rayo Vallecano. Rayo’s winner came deep in second half stoppage-time.
Último entrenamiento antes del @valenciacf 🆚 @AthleticClub ¡Preparados para una nueva jornada de @laliga! 💪#ADNVCF 🦇— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) September 24, 2021
Último entrenamiento antes del @valenciacf 🆚 @AthleticClub ¡Preparados para una nueva jornada de @laliga! 💪#ADNVCF 🦇
Last season, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao played out two draws in La Liga. The teams’ game at Mestalla finished 2-2 Carlos Soler scoring from the penalty spot while Manuel Vallejo scored either side of Asier Villalibre and Raul Garcia goals for Athletic. Garcia’s goal was a penalty as well.
The reverse fixture ended 1-1 at San Mames. Hugo Guillamon scored an own goal for Valencia and Gabriel Paulista later netted for Los Che to equalise.
The away team in this series is unbeaten in six of the last seven matches between these clubs.
Valencia have taken six points from nine possible points this season at Mestalla. They have scored five goals and conceded two to opponents. Athletic Bilbao have taken five points from nine on offer this season.
They have scored a mere one goal on the road while conceding zero times away.
Bordalas has a long injury list going into the game on Saturday at Mestalla. Full-backs Jose Gaya and Thierry Correia are ruled out of the match along with Carlos Soler and Denis Cheryshev. The loss of Soler is massive as he leads the team in goals with three.
Goncalo Guedes and Maxi Gomez will start in attack. Gabriel and Omar Alderete will play in defence while Giorgi Mamardashvili will remain in goal after earning the starting job.
Marcelino should start Alex Berenguer, Mikel Balenziaga, and Inaki Williams in attack after resting them in midweek. Resting the trio did not help as the Lions dropped full points.
Athletic Bilbao players Oihan Sancet, Yeray Alvarez, Peru Nolaskoain, and Yuri Berchiche are all ruled out of the game through injury.
Inaki Williams leads Athletic Bilbao in goals with two in six appearances. Goals are a problem for Athletic Bilbao as just five have been scored in six fixtures.
Based on the trends of last season’s games, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao should finish in a score draw on Saturday at the Mestalla. Expect under 2.5 goals scored.