Athletic Club vs Valencia predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Los Che travel to San Mames.
| Date | Sunday 21st August 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 17:30 (local time) |
| Stadium | San Mames |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Athletic Club vs Valencia Preview
On Sunday we have another exciting LaLiga encounter and it will be in the Basque Country as Athletic host Valencia in the Estadio San Mamés.
Athletic kicked off their season with a slightly disappointing 0-0 draw with Mallorca. Los Leones dominated the whole game registering 23 goal attempts but just couldn’t score. Mikel Vesga hit the post from long range and captain Iker Muniain came the closest to scoring but couldn’t connect fully as the ball was gathered by visiting goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic, man of the match on his debut. It was more of the same in the Second Half with another solid effort hitting the post from centre back Yuri Berchiche.
Returning Head Coach Ernesto Valverde will take a lot of positives from the game though as his side worked very hard and they didn’t have a lot to do defensively. They created lots of chances and he will know they will take those chances on another day. Athletic will be confident going into this and will be hoping to pick up the three points.
Valencia kicked off their season with a well fought 1-0 win over newly promoted Girona. Carlos Soler’s penalty on the stroke of Half Time was enough to pick up all three points for Los Che. They had to do it the hard way when centre back Eray Comert was shown a straight red in the 52nd minute after VAR intervened on the challenge he had committed on Girona striker Taty Castellanos which led to Head Coach Gennaro Gattuso picking up a yellow in the process.
Valencia weathered the storm and were very close to being 2-0 up but on loan midfielder Nico was offside and his goal was chalked off. It was a positive start for Valencia picking up the all-important three points. Gennaro Gattuso will know his side will have their moments in this one but they need to make them count if they are to get anything here.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Athletic Club
| INJURED | Agirrezabala, Inigo Martinez |
| DOUBTFUL | Balenziaga |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Simon – Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, De Marcos – Vesga, Muniain, Sancet – Berenguer, Villalibre, Inaki Williams (4-3-3)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Valencia
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | Marcos Andre, Paulista |
| BANNED | Gaya, Comert |
Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Vazquez, Diakhaby, Paulista, Correia – Musah, Guillamon, Soler – Lino, Duro, Castillejo (4-3-3)
Coach: Gennaro Gattuso
Score Prediction: Athletic Club 2-0 Valencia
It’s a game where both sides will have good moments in the match. Ernesto Valverde’s side just look a better all-round team whereas Valencia have gone through a little rebuild and they look slightly vulnerable at the back and with the firepower Athletic possess, it’s hard to look past a home win here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
