Athletic Bilbao will look to pick up their first win of the season when they welcome Valencia to Estadio San Mamés this Sunday.
Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao)
Key Statistics
Athletic Bilbao have won six of their last ten home matches in the league.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last four home matches.
They have scored 2+goals in six of their last ten home matches.
They have also kept five clean sheets in their last ten home matches.
Valencia are winless in their last four away matches (D3, L1).
The visitors are unbeaten in their last three league games.
They have kept two clean sheets in their last two league games.
All but one of Valencia’s last seven La Liga games have produced two or fewer total goals, as have eight of the last nine league head-to-head meetings.
Head to head
Valencia have won five of the last 15 head-to-head meetings between both sides while Athletic Bilbao have just one win in that period.
Latest performances in all competitions
Athletic Bilbao: D-D-W-W-L
Valencia: W-W-L-D-L
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao began their life under Ernesto Valverde with a goalless draw in their first game of the league season.
The former Barcelona coach returned to the Bilboa dugout for the third time in his managerial career with much fanfare with optimistic Bilbao fans hoping he could lead them to UEFA appearance this season after they missed out last year.
But Valverde could do nothing to get his side to record a positive start as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Mallorca at San Mames.
Although positives will be taken from getting a point on the board, the Basque club had been expected to take advantage of playing at home, and there is now a bit of pressure ahead of welcoming Valencia.
That said, the hosts may benefit from facing opponents who are expected to show more ambition, given that Mallorca operated with a 5-4-1 system that allowed little space for Inaki Williams and co.
Possible Athletic Bilbao starting line-up
Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Daniel Vivian,Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Vesga, Mikel Vesga; Iker Mûnein, Berenguer Remiro, Inaki Williams; Asier Villalibre.
Injured: Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Martinez
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Valencia
Like their hosts, Valencia also saw a managerial change in the summer as legendary AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso took the reins of the club.
The Italy international went off to a perfect start, leading his side to a 1-0 win over newly promoted Girona at the Mestalla.
The win was the fifth time the new Valencia boss had kicked off a new league season with a victory in his blossoming managerial career even if he had to rely on a goal from the penalty spot just after halftime.
He will be looking to keep his winning run going by making it two wins in two league games. Having already secured the services of Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez on a season-long loan deal, Valencia will feel that they have the tools to navigate the season even though star man Goncalo Guedes has been sold to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Possible Valencia starting line-up
Giorgi Mamardashvili; Thierry Correira, Cristhian, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jesus Vazquez; Yunus Musah, Hugo Guillamon, Carlos Soler; Samu Castillejo, Hugo Duro, Samuel Lino.
Injured: Gabriel Paulista
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Eray Comart
Prediction
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Valencia
