Explore My Football Facts detailed preview for Athletic Club vs Valencia in La Liga. Stats, odds, predictions and line-ups for the 15:15 BST match.
The Athletic Club have come up with that with the league’s recent return stronger, but their results have still been varied enough to suggest they are no simple local banker. Valencia have also been inconsistent, and their draw at Mallorca and their narrow defeat at Elche show that they can stay in games, even if the overall run is spotty. With no xG data available, the clearest angle is that Athletic Club’s home advantage and slightly better recent goalscoring form could make the contest tight.
Valencia’s 4-4-2 should give them a compact shape, but Athletic Club have enough attacking quality to wonder if they can get Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams into good areas. The head-to-head record is fairly even, although Athletic Club have won two of the last three meetings and both teams have had low-margin results in this match. Match prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Valencia
Forms guide and team overview
Athletic Club
Athletic Club’s recent form in the League has been up and down, with two wins and three defeats in their last five. The most notable result is a 4-2 home win over Deportivo Alavés, while a 1-0 home win over Osasuna shows they can also manage a tighter result.
Having said that, defeats to Atlético Madrid, Villarreal and Getafe show that they have not been entirely reliable, especially when the games become more open. Still, picking up four points away from home in their most recent outing suggests they arrive with a little more attacking momentum than their overall streak might imply.
Athletic Club Last 5 results
Valencia
Valencia’s recent form in La Liga has been equally uneven, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five. The home win against Girona is the best of this series, while the draw at Mallorca shows they can take something away from home when they stay organised.
Defeats to Atlético de Madrid, Elche and Celta de Vigo highlight the problem, however, as they have struggled to turn good moments into points. Their recent results point to a team that can compete, but hasn’t been consistently strong enough to trust without caution.
Valencia Last 5 results
Team news and injury report
Athletic Club
- Beñat Prados (cruciate ligament)
Valencia
- Thierry Correia (Muscle injury)
Alignments and tactical configuration
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
Expected lineup: Unai Simón (Goalkeeper), Andoni Gorosabel (Defender), Aymeric Laporte (Defender), Yeray Álvarez (Defender), Yuri Berchiche (Defender), Alejandro Rego (Midfielder), Iñaki Williams (Midfielder), Mikel Jauregizar (Midfielder), Nico Williams (Midfielder), Unai Gómez (Midfielder), Unai Gómez (Midfielder), Atta Gorka Cruzeta.
The 4-2-3-1 predicted by Athletic Club should give them a solid base with two midfielders controlling the defense and helping them control second balls. The shape also leaves room for wide players to support Gorka Guruzeta and stretch Valencia’s backline.
Valencia (4-4-2)
Expected lineup: Stole Dimitrievski (Goalkeeper), César Tárrega (Defender), José Gayà (Defender), Pepelu (Defender), Renzo Saravia (Defender), Filip Ugrinic (Midfielder), Guido Rodríguez (Midfielder), Javi Guerra (Midfielder), Luis Rioja (Midfielder), Largie Ramazani (Forward), Largie Ramazani (Forward)
Valencia’s predicted 4-4-2 looks designed to be compact, with a flat midfield line helping them stay disciplined without the ball. It should also allow Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq to work as a pair and give Valencia a direct outlet when they break.
