Two teams who are both targeting their first victories of the season meet in Bilbao on Tuesday. Our Athletic Club vs Valencia prediction and La Liga betting tips consider which side is more likely to get it.
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Athletic Club vs Valencia prediction: Hosts to win by one, with Sancet on target
Key stats
- Our Athletic Club vs Valencia betting tips take into account that the Basques have only failed to score once at San Mames since losing to Real Madrid on the opening day of last season.
- Valencia have only taken two points from their last nine matches in La Liga.
- Four of those matches have resulted in defeats by one goal margins.
Correct score prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Valencia
It hasn’t been a great start to the season from Athletic, but given Valencia’s poor form stretching back to the end of last season, and their strong record for more than a year at San Mames, a home victory does look the most likely outcome.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Basques the clear favourites
- HOME: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.7%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Athletic Club vs Valencia odds with an implied probability of 63.7% that they win the game.
They head into the match after a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona, with Robert Lewandowski settling it, after Oihan Sancet had equalised from the spot.
As for Valencia, they’ve lost both matches so far, the most recent of which was a worrying 3-1 defeat at Celta Vigo on Friday.
For more picks, today’s football betting tips take a look at some of the best options from the action across Europe and beyond.
Most recent H2Hs: Not much to choose between the teams
Our Athletic Club vs Valencia prediction suggests there won’t be more than a goal in this again, and that has been the case in 11 of the last 12 meetings overall. Four of the last six in Bilbao have ended level.
Spain Primera Liga 20/01/24
Valencia
Athletic Bilbao
Spain Primera Liga 29/10/23
Athletic Bilbao
Valencia
Spain Primera Liga 11/02/23
Valencia
Athletic Bilbao
Spain Copa del Rey 26/01/23
Valencia
Athletic Bilbao
Spain Primera Liga 21/08/22
Athletic Bilbao
Valencia
Athletic Club preview: Nico rated doubtful
Spain’s Euro 2024 star Nico Williams is a big injury doubt for the home team. Aitor Paredes, Unai Simon and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are definitely out.
Predicted Lineup: Agirrezabala (GK), Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, Gorosabel, Prados, Herrera, Berenguer, Sancet, Inaki Williams & Guruzeta
Spain Primera Liga 31/08/24 L Atletico Madrid 1 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain Primera Liga 28/08/24 W Valencia 0 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain Primera Liga 24/08/24 L Barcelona 2 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain Primera Liga 15/08/24 D Getafe 1 Athletic Bilbao 1 Elite Club Friendlies 10/08/24 L VfB Stuttgart 4 Athletic Bilbao 0
Valencia preview: Rioja to make first start?
Winger Luis Rioja could make his full debut after a summer move from Alaves. Sergi Canos and Fran Perez are injury doubts while Jose Gaya definitely misses out again.
Predicted Lineup: Mamardashvili (GK), Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier, Rioja, Pepelu, Guillamon, Diego Lopez, Duro & Mir
Spain Primera Liga 31/08/24 D Villarreal 1 Valencia 1 Spain Primera Liga 28/08/24 L Athletic Bilbao 1 Valencia 0 Spain Primera Liga 23/08/24 L Celta Vigo 3 Valencia 1 Spain Primera Liga 17/08/24 L Barcelona 2 Valencia 1 Elite Club Friendlies 10/08/24 W Eintracht Frankfurt 2 Valencia 3
Player to watch – Oihan Sancet
Midfielder Oihan Sancet has scored in each of Athletic’s opening two games. He reached double figures for league goals in the 2022/23 season and has made a bright start to this season, having only scored four last term.
Sancet’s dual threat
Last season in La Liga, the 24-year-old averaged 1.4 shots and 1.4 key passes per game. He’ll be expected to help supply chances for the likes of Gorka Guruzeta this term, whilst also offering a goal threat himself.
