Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia Prediction and Preview – 10/03/16
Europa League preview – Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia prediction.
Athletic Club leading scorer Aritz Aduriz is the major injury concern ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Valencia. The 35-year-old striker was substituted at Gijon on Saturday and is hoping to shrug off a mixture of back and thigh pain. Fellow striker Inaki Williams is ruled out and left winger Sabin Merino is on standby to play a central role if required. Winger Ibai Gomez is unlikely to be fit due to a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since January.
Valencia suffered a blow with the loss of Denis Cheryshev who has made a huge impact since arriving on loan from Real Madrid. With Zakaria Bakkali out for season, it’s between Pablo Piatti and Rodrigo for the place on the left. Paco Alcacer is likely to be preferred up front to Alvaro Negredo who started both legs in the previous round. Javi Fuego has played twice in four days following a three-month absence and could be rested on Thursday.
Possible Line-ups
Athletic Bilbao 4-2-3-1 formation: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, San Jose; Susaeta, Garcia, Muniain; Aduriz
Valencia 4-3-3 formation: Alves; Gaya, Vezo, Santos, Cancelo; Gomes, Danilo, Parejo; Piatti, Alcacer, Mina
Statistics
- Athletic Bilbao have won 5 drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Valencia have won 5 drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Athletic Bilbao have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Valencia have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Athletic Bilbao’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Valencia’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Bilboa eliminated Marseilles 2-1 on aggregate in the previous round and go into Thursday’s all-Spanish Europa League game on the back of three consecutive wins. Ernesto Valverde’s side defeated Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla in La Liga fixture at the end of last month and have followed up with victories against Deportivo (4-0) and away to Gijon (2-0). Bilbao have only lost four of 23 home games in all competitions this season.
Valencia cruised to the Round of 16 with a 10-0 aggregate victory over Rapid Vienna. Gary Neville’s side appeared to have found a new lease of life after sharing the points in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in early February sparking a run of four consecutive victories. But Valencia’s confidence will be shaken after losing the last two home games, 3-0 v Bilbao and 3-1 v Atletico Madrid.
Athletic Bilbao have a good home record and a big psychological advantage after their recent victory in Valencia
Tips
Athletic Bilbao to win at 4/5 with Coral
Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 at Marathonbet
Athletic Bilbao to win 2-1 at 17/2 with BetVictor
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