Athletic Club vs Valencia match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Marcelino comes up against his former employers.
- DATE: Sunday February 7th 2021
- KICK-OFF: 16:15 (local time)
- STADIUM: San Mames
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Athletic Club vs Valencia Preview
It’s a big one for Athletic boss Marcelino on Sunday as he takes on his former employers Valencia who he departed in acrimonious fashion early last season. In truth he may struggle to recognise his former side such is the manner the core of his old team has been dismantled in the time that has passed since he has left.
That won’t take the spice out of this for Marcelino, although he will have one eye on a Copa del Rey Semi-Final 1st Leg against Levante this coming week. Ironically it was his decision to take the 2018/19 Copa (which Valencia ultimately won) seriously which led to some of the tension between him and the board. Two years on, he has the chance to defend his title with Athletic and potentially defend it again a fortnight later in this bizarre situation where we will have two Copa del Rey Finals in April, both potentially involving Athletic!
That’s because Athletic won a shootout at Betis in midweek, having only forced Extra Time thanks to Raul Garcia’s dramatic late header in the 94th minute. With all the cup distractions, Athletic would be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball in the league but there was no sign of that in their last home game – a 5-1 win over Getafe.
Valencia meanwhile continue to battle on under Javi Gracia but it’s quite a painful watch at times for their legions of fans. They picked up an important 1-0 win over Elche last time out to ease those relegation fears and they would actually climb above Athletic in the table were they to win this match.
Los Che continue to struggle with a few injury problems but even with everyone fit, this is no longer a team that you’d really back to go to a place like San Mames and win. Their best hope may be that some tiredness creeps into the Athletic camp after all their cup exertions.
LaLiga Match Previews | LaLiga Veterans Team of the Season so Far
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 1 Athletic Win, 2 Valencia Wins, 3 Draws.
- The sides drew 2-2 at Mestalla earlier this term.
- Valencia are unbeaten on their last 3 visits to San Mames.
- They won 1-0 on their last visit in September 2019.
Team News
Raul Garcia is suspended so Asier Villalibre will start up top. Iker Muniain is also a doubt and may not be risked with the cup in mind.
Hugo Guillamon returns from suspension and should start in defence with both Eliaquim Mangala and Mouctar Diakhaby banned.
Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Yeray, Capa – Berenguer, D. Garcia, Vencedor, De Marcos – Villalibre, Williams (4-4-2)
Predicted Valencia Starting Lineup:
Domenech – Gaya, Guillamon, Gabriel, Correia – Guedes, Soler, Racic, Wass – Gomez, Vallejo (4-4-2)
Athletic Club vs Valencia Predictions
Score Prediction: Athletic Club 1-1 Valencia
Athletic would be forgiven for feeling a bit fatigue after some of their cup efforts and they don’t have that much quality in reserve when it comes to rotation. That does open up a window of opportunity for Valencia here and while they don’t fully convince, they may have enough to leave San Mames with a point.
Athletic Club vs Valencia Betting Tips (18+)
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