Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Valencia will try to recover after a 6:0 defeat to Barcelona, while Athletic Bilbao, who lost twice in the space of a week, have a favourable fixture in which to respond.
Valencia
Valencia continue to alternate between strong and poor displays. The squad opened with a lively 1:1 draw against Real Sociedad, generating 2.04 xG, but a defeat to Osasuna followed after a 22nd-minute sending off. The pattern repeated again: a confident win over Getafe and then a collapse against Barcelona, where the team produced only two efforts towards goal. Valencia sit among the four worst clubs for defensive reliability with eight goals conceded, although they have allowed only one at home. The head-to-head record against Athletic Bilbao is also bleak, with just one win in the last eight meetings.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao started strongly with three wins on the spin, including an away win over Real Betis (2:1). However, a defeat to Deportivo Alavés halted the momentum. A 0:2 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League followed, although Athletic Bilbao played on level terms, kept Viktor Gyökeres quiet, and conceded only after the 70th minute. Away from home, Athletic Bilbao have been in excellent form, going five matches unbeaten, including a narrow win at Valencia at the end of last season.
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Both teams tend towards low-scoring games in their head-to-head meetings: in 12 of the last 15 La Liga fixtures, no more than two goals were scored. Valencia defend more securely at home, and Athletic Bilbao rarely slip up away. However, the advantages in squad quality and current form are on the side of Athletic Bilbao. We are taking a combo bet.
