Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia – News and Probable Lineups

Athletic Bilbao will continue their quest for European qualification this Sunday, hosting a Valencia side still fighting to avoid relegation in Spain’s top division.

The home team currently sits in eighth place on the La Liga table, tied on points with seventh-placed Getafe, while Valencia ranks twelfth, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Match overview

It is undeniable that this season has been disappointing for Athletic, yet they remain very much in contention for European spots as they approach the end of the season.

Ernesto Valverde’s squad enters this fixture coming off a 4-2 victory against Alaves, which brought their total to 44 points from 34 matches, placing them in eighth, level on points with Getafe and just three behind Celta Vigo in sixth.

However, securing Champions League football for next season will be a significant challenge, as they trail fifth-placed Real Betis by nine points.

Athletic concluded the league phase of this year’s Champions League in 29th place, but they could emerge as strong contenders for the Europa League next season if they secure qualification in the closing weeks of the campaign.

The Lions have amassed 29 points from their 17 home league matches this season, while Valencia has managed only 13 points from their 17 away La Liga games.

On the other hand, Valencia, coached by Carlos Corberan, still has work to do in order to avoid relegation, currently standing twelfth in the standings, just three points ahead of eighteenth-placed Alaves.

Amazingly, Los Che find themselves just five points away from seventh-placed Getafe and a chance at the Conference League playoff round, which highlights the competitive nature of the league.

Valencia will come into this match following a 2-0 loss at home to Atletico Madrid, though they did finish April on a high with a 2-1 win over Girona at Mestalla.

Earlier this season, Los Che fell 2-1 at home to Athletic in their reverse fixture, and they have suffered three defeats in their last four encounters against their opponents this Sunday.

It’s worth noting that Valencia’s last three victories over Athletic have all occurred at home, with their last away win against the Lions dating back to September 2019.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

WLLWLW

Valencia La Liga form:

WLDWL

Team News

Athletic will need to conduct a late fitness check on Benat Prados, but there’s a possibility that the Basque team will have a fully-fit squad available for the fixture against Valencia.

Following an impressive display and a goal against Alaves last time out, Robert Navarro may earn a starting spot on Sunday.

Nico Williams looked sharp against Alaves, scoring twice, and the Spain international will be looking to overcome his fitness issues to finish the season strongly.

As for Valencia, Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier, Copete, Thierry Correia, and Julen Agirrezabala are all unavailable for this match, while Lucas Beltran is a significant doubt.

Head coach Corberan might consider making up to three changes from the last lineup that faced Atletico, potentially bringing Unai Nunez and Eray Comert into the defense, with Diego Lopez also possibly featuring on the wing.

Additionally, Umar Sadiq is expected to retain his place in the squad, having scored twice in his last three La Liga outings.

Athletic Bilbao probable starting XI:

Simon; Gorosabel, Alvarez, Laporte, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Rego; Navarro, Sancet, N Williams; the cross

Valencia probable starting XI:

Dimitriexi; U Nunez, Comert, Tarrega, Gaya; Rioja, Guerra, Rodriguez, Lopez; Ramazani, Sadiq

We anticipate a closely contested match regarding the scoreline, but Athletic must secure a victory to continue their push for a top-six finish, and they should possess the quality necessary to edge the contest.