- Valencia CF have lost 2 of their last 3 matches.
- Athletic Bilbao have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 games.
- Valencia CF have won 0, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their 4 home fixtures in LaLiga 2026/2027, averaging 0.50 goals per game scored and 2.25 per game conceded.
Valencia in deep water
20th placed Valencia CF welcome Athletic Bilbao to Estadio Mestalla on Saturday with the pressure already beginning to build on Javier Aguirre's team after a run of one win and four defeats from their last five matches in all competitions.
Los Che have already lost 3 of their 4 games on home soil, with Real Sociedad beating them 3-2 at Valencia's home last time out, although they did sneak a 1-0 victory at Deportivo Alaves in their previous game.
Aguirre has overseen a more compact style since his appointment on 23 September 2026 which has been built around survival and structure, but Athletic Bilbao are a different proposition and their model has been all about pressing high, playing fast and occupying the half spaces.
Athletic can open up a compact Los Che
It should be an interesting contrast of styles in Valencia as Los Leones look to add another away win to their ledger in LaLiga 2026/2027. Athletic are 1-1 in two on the road, winning one and losing one, but they average a respectable 1.00 goals per away game.
Edin Terzic has been able to bring a tempo, a vertical sharpness and an overall cleanliness to Athletic's build-up play. Robert Navarro is their top-scorer in the 2026/2027 LaLiga with two goals in five appearances, but he is the most likely to provide Athletic's sharpest edge in the final third.
The visitors are in good form, winning three and drawing two of their last five games, and they look favourites at 27/25, while Valencia are at 12/5 and the draw is at 12/5.
Draw looks the best play
However, we'll side with the draw here as Athletic can be hit and miss on the away and Valencia's desperate need for the win could keep this tight and cagey. The hosts have lost two of their last three and Athletic have won two of their previous three visits to Valencia, so Los Leones know this ground can be raided.
Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks the right angle to take for this clash.
