Valencia make a trip to take on Athletic Bilbao on Sunday looking to build on making the prefect start to the new La Liga campaign.
On the other hand, the hosts are playing a second home game in succession after being held to a goalless draw by Real Mallorca.
With Ernesto Valverde back in the dugout, everyone associated with Athletic Bilbao have high hopes for another solid La Liga campaign.
However, Valverde was left disappointed in their opening game as his side were held to a 0-0 stalemate at San Mames.
Although they will take positives from getting a point on the board, Athletic Bilbao had been expected to take advantage of home surrounding, and there is now a bit of pressure ahead of hosting Valencia.
Meanwhile, Valencia head coach Gennaro Gattuso went with a 4-3-3 against Girona, even if he was ultimately reliant on a goal from the penalty spot just before half time, with Carlos Soler getting on target.
While Gattuso would have been slightly disappointed with only succeeding through that method, getting maximum points on the board was most important as he aims to keep his new club in the top half of the table.
Despite star man Goncalo Guedes being sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gattuso can have few complaints with the club’s business in the transfer market.
Securing the services of Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez on a season-long loan deal is a huge deposition for the club, and the youngster is eventually to become a mainstay in the starting lineup.
Although that may not occur at the weekend, Valencia are on their way to replacing the quality lost from last season’s squad, and another victory on Sunday may encourage other talent to make the switch to the Mestalla before the end of the summer transfer window.
Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia head to head
The two teams have previously met on 62 occasions across all competitions, where Athletic have claimed 16 victories while Valencia have won 26, and they have drawn in 20. Valencia have scored 90 goals and conceded 71. In their last five meetings, Valencia have won one while they have drawn four.
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Valencia 07/02/21
Valencia 1-1 Athletic Bilbao 25/09/21
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Valencia 10/02/21
Valencia 1-0 Athletic Bilbao 02/03/22
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Valencia 07/05/22
Athletic Bilbao latest home form
Athletic Bilbao have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They played out a goalless draw with Mallorca in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded one.
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Valencia 07/05/22
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna 15/05/22
Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Real Sociedad 05/08/22
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Alaves 06/08/22
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Mallorca 15/08/22
Athletic Bilbao latest away form
Athletic Bilbao have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They defeated Mirandes 3-0 in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded five.
Sevilla 1-0 Athletic Bilbao 22/05/22
Bochum 1-4 Athletic Bilbao 21/07/22
Mainz 1-1 Athletic Bilbao 23/07/22
Newcastle United 2-1 Athletic Bilbao 30/07/22
Mirandes 0-3 Athletic Bilbao 31/07/22
Valencia latest home form
Valencia have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Girona 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded five.
Valencia 1-1 Levante 30/04/22
Valencia 0-3 Real Betis 10/05/22
Valencia 2-0 Celta Vigo 21/05/22
Valencia 2-1 Atalanta 06/08/22
Valencia 1-0 Girona 14/08/22
Valencia latest away form
Valencia have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their three most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Castellon in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and also conceded eight.
Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Valencia 18/07/22
St. Gallen 0-2 Valencia 20/07/22
Stuttgart 5-2 Valencia 23/07/22
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Valencia 30/07/22
Castellon 1-0 Valencia 03/08/22
Athletic Bilbao news
Athletic Bilbao are again expected to take to the pitch without the services of defender Inigo Martinez, who is currently suffering with knee issues.
Chances could be few and far between with Oier Zarraga semingly most likely to be handed with an opportunity in central midfield, with the rest of the squad remaining the same.
Valencia news
Valencia will have to make do without Eray Comert after his dismissal in the second half of the win over Girona, with Maxi Gomez and Gonzalez expected to remain among the replacements.
Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera could be drafted into the middle of the backline, but Jose Gaya remains absent through suspension.
Prediction and Odds
Athletic Bilbao will fancy their chances of getting back on track at the weekend, but we cannot dismiss Valencia who feel rejuvenated under Gattuso.
That said, we are expecting the visitors to come out on top in this contest and keep the momentum at the Mestall going for another week.
Odds: 1 2.28 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Valencia
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Valencia
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Valencia
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Valencia
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Valencia
