SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 2 hrs 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
VL
La Liga | Gameweek 33
Jul 1, 2020 at 6.30pm UK
Mestalla
AB

Valencia
0 - 2
Athletic Bilbao


Diakhaby (83')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Garcia (13', 47')

Preview: Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:404283: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's La Liga contest between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, including team news and predicted lineups.

Valencia and Athletic Bilbao meet at the Mestalla on Wednesday evening with just one point separating the clubs in the La Liga standings.

Sitting in eighth and ninth position respectively, each club is under pressure to get another win on the board as they bid to qualify for next season's Europa League.


Match preview

Although Valencia sit just three points behind sixth place, Albert Celades will be aware that he is fighting to keep his job at the Mestalla in the long term.

Just two victories have been recorded from their last 10 matches, and it leaves Los Che with little momentum heading into their closing half-a-dozen outings.

Back-to-back defeats without scoring a goal have been posted on the road against Eibar and Villarreal, results which have realistically left the club out of the running for a Champions League spot.

Nevertheless, club officials will be eager to earn qualification for the Europa League, aware that any financial benefits over the next 12 months could prove crucial if they wish to remain as one of the nation's top clubs.

Despite holding a slender advantage in the table over their next opponents, there is little doubting that Athletic head into this contest as the favourites.

Eight points have been recorded from five games since the resumption, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Wins were registered against Real Betis and Mallorca either side of that blip, ensuring that Athletic remain as the form team of the clubs battling it out for sixth.

Although no players are necessarily standing out in the final third, just five goals have been conceded in as many games, an impressive return when also taking into account that they returned to action with a clash against Atletico Madrid.

However, with Real Madrid and Sevilla to follow their clash with Valencia, Gaizka Garitano knows that it is the wrong time to suffer a 10th league defeat of the season.

Valencia La Liga form: DDLWLL

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form: WDDWLW


Team News

Rodrigo Moreno could potentially drop out of the Valencia starting lineup to accommodate the return of Kevin Gameiro.

Goncalo Guedes is also a likely starter on the left flank, but Jose Gaya is expected to miss out due to injury.

Eliaquim Mangala is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.

Barring any late fitness issues, Garitano is unlikely to make any alterations to his Athletic starting lineup.

Iker Muniain may feel that his place is under threat after a number of ineffective showings in quick succession.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Florenzi; Paulista, Mangala, Costa; Torres, Kondogbia, Parejo, Guedes; Gameiro, Gomez

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Capa, Alvarez, Martinez, Yuri; Lopez, D.Garcia; Williams, Sancet, Muniain; R.Garcia


We say: Valencia 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Despite having home advantage, we make Valencia the underdogs heading into this contest. Athletic are beginning to put together some momentum, and another victory here will leave the teams above them looking over their shoulders.



amp_article__404283 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-06-29 16:08:31:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 12:24:46 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .