Real Valladolid can move out of the La Liga regelation zone with a positive result against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Valladolid currently find themselves just inside the bottom three – two points ahead of second-bottom Huesca and one point from safety.
🔄 Sin tiempo para el descanso...🔛 Comenzamos a preparar el #AthleticRealValladolid del miércoles (19:00h).#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/U3neRnXR6D— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) April 26, 2021
🔄 Sin tiempo para el descanso...🔛 Comenzamos a preparar el #AthleticRealValladolid del miércoles (19:00h).#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/U3neRnXR6D
On the other hand, Bilbao are tenth in the La Liga standings – 12 points ahead of Valladolid and level with ninth-place Celta Vigo on 41 points.
Bilbao finally ended a run of five straight draws by getting the better of title-chasing Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Despite seeing just 37% possession against Diego Simeone’s side, Bilbao managed to convert two of their three shots on target.
Sure, Bilbao may be enjoying a six-match unbeaten streak in La Liga. But they have only picked up eight points from a possible 18 in that time.
Looking at the bigger picture, Athletic Bilbao have only lost three of their previous 16 games in all competitions.
However, let’s not forget that they have also managed to win just one of their last 12 outings in all competitions.
On the flip side, Real Valladolid head into Wednesday’s clash having won just one of their previous 15 league matches.
Their last victory came against Getafe at the beginning of March. Since then, they have recorded four draws and two defeats.
Valladolid’s main problems have come on their travels this season, as they have only won three of their 23 away games in La Liga.
It is also worth noting that each of Valladolid’s last six away games in La Liga have produced under 2.5 goals, meaning Wednesday’s clash is likely to be a low-scoring encounter.
Head-to-head: Funnily enough, Valladolid managed to pick up one of their five La Liga wins this season against Bilbao back in November.
In their previous 23 meetings, Valladolid have picked up nine wins (39%), while Bilbao have claimed seven wins (30%). There have also been seven draws (30%).
Team news: Athletic Bilbao have one injury absentee at the moment, with defensive midfielder Peru Nolaskoain sidelined with an ankle problem.
As for Real Valladolid, they will be without two players on Wednesday – left-back Raul Carnero and centre-back Javi Sanchez.
The recent head-to-head record between Bilbao and Valladolid is pretty even, so we are destined for another tight match this time around.
Forebet predicts that Bilbao and Valladolid will produce a low-scoring draw on Wednesday, although both sides are likely to get on the scoresheet.