Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia
La Liga
Sunday
29th October 2023
San Mames
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the La Liga gameweek 11 fixture between Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.
Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia: Preview
Athletic Bilbao form analysis
Bilbao’s recent form has been inconsistent, with some good wins mixed with disappointing losses. They started this run of games with an excellent 2-0 away win over Alaves, thanks to goals from I. Williams and Sancet. Building on this, they then drew 2-2 at home against Getafe in a thriller. Where they twice led through Yuri and Williams but conceded late to drop points.
Reality then struck with a harsh 3-0 loss away to rivals Real Sociedad, where Bilbao were simply outclassed and failed to get going. They responded well with an emphatic 3-0 home win over Almeria, with Guruzeta, Garcia and Sancet getting the goals as Bilbao clicked in attack while keeping a clean sheet. However, they were unable to build momentum, losing 1-0 away to Barcelona from a late Guiu goal in a tight affair.
Overall, Bilbao have shown they can score goals consistently through Williams and Sancet, but their defense remains unreliable, keeping just 2 clean sheets. They’ve struggled against the top teams but can get results against bottom half sides.
Valencia form analysis
Valencia’s recent form paints the picture of an inconsistent team still searching for rhythm and results. They started this run with a 2-2 away draw against Almeria where they twice led through Diego López and Arribas goals but conceded sloppy equalizers on both occasions to drop points. Things got worse with a 1-0 home loss to Real Sociedad where Valencia lacked attacking threat and were made to pay by a Carlos Fernández goal.
The struggles continued with a heavy 3-0 defeat away at Betis. Where poor defending saw them fall behind early and they never recovered. There were signs of improvement in a 1-1 draw away to Mallorca, where Diego López equalized to earn a point after going behind early. Finally, Valencia recorded their first win of this spell, beating Cadiz 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Gayà and Duro.
Overall, Valencia has struggled at both ends of the pitch, conceding cheap goals while also misfiring in attack. With just 1 win in 5, consistency in performances is badly needed.
