Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Match Analysis & Prediction
26/01/2023 10:00 pm
Valencia welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Mestalla for their quarter-final tie in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, with a spot in the last four at stake.
The hosts have beaten two lower-league teams to reach this stage, while the visitors battled their way past three sides outside of the top flight before beating Espanyol in the previous round.
Valencia have experienced mixed fortunes since the turn of the year, winning two, losing two and drawing one of their five matches across all competitions.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side claimed a 4-0 away victory over Sporting Gijon in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey last week, before being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Almeria in La Liga on Monday.
Having won just one of their last nine league matches, Valencia have slipped to 12th in the table, sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone, and Gattuso will now be hoping his side can make the most out of their Copa del Rey campaign in a bid to rebuild a positive run of form.
Athletic Bilbao have also won two, lost two and drawin one of their opening five matches in 2023, with their most recent game ending in defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday.
Ernesto Valverde’s side noe turn their attention to the Copa del Rey, a competition they have won 23 times in total, with their last success coming back in the 1983-84 season under the tutelage of club legend Javier Clemente.
Bilbao have fallen short in the Copa del Rey in each of the last three season, losing in the final against Barcelona in 2019-20 and Real Sociedad in 2020-21 before suffering defeat in the semi-finals to Valencia in April last year.
Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao Head to head
In the 63 previous meetings between these two teams across all competitions, Valencia have claimed 26 victories while Bilbao have won 17, and they have drawn in 20. Bilbao have scored 72 goals and conceded 90 in the process.
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25/09/2021Valencia1Athletic Bilbao1La Liga
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10/02/2022Athletic Bilbao1Valencia1Copa del Rey
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02/03/2022Valencia1Athletic Bilbao0Copa del Rey
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07/05/2022Athletic Bilbao0Valencia0La Liga
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21/08/2022Athletic Bilbao1Valencia0La Liga
Valencia Team News
Valencia duo of Jaume Domenech and Nico Gonzalez are both ruled out with respective knee and foot injuries, while Thierry Correia is doubtful with a muscle issue.
After watching on as an unused substitute last time out, centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby could be recalled to the starting lineup at the expense of Cenk Ozkacar, with Cavani leading the line.
Valencia's Last 5 Matches
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03/01/2023La Nucia0Valencia3Copa del Rey
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06/01/2023Valencia0Cadiz1La Liga
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11/01/2023Real Madrid(P)1Valencia1Super Cup
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18/01/2023Sporting Gijon0Valencia4Copa del Rey
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23/01/2023Valencia2Almeria2La Liga
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Central defender Inigo Martinez is ruled out for Bilbao with a foot injury, but Yeray Alvarez is available after serving a suspension and will likely start in defence alongside Dani Vivian.
Either Ander Herrera or Dani Garcia could potentially replace Oier Zarraga in centre-midfield, while striker Gorka Guruzeta will be hoping to force his way back into the side.
Athletic Bilbao's Last 5 Matches
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05/01/2023Eldense1Athletic Bilbao6Copa del Rey
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09/01/2023Athletic Bilbao0Osasuna0La Liga
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14/01/2023Real Sociedad3Athletic Bilbao1La Liga
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18/01/2023Athletic Bilbao1Espanyol0Copa del Rey
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22/01/2023Athletic Bilbao0Real Madrid2La Liga
Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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