Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao 04/03/19

4 March 2019

The mid-table clash between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao that takes place at the Estadio de Mestalla will see the hosts hoping to stretch a three-game winning run against the Basque side.

Valencia’s tally of 33 points after 25 La Liga fixtures matches Bilbao’s as both teams look to interfere in the European promotion race. After ensuring two straight LL wins, the Bats have returned to their old habits, playing out four consecutive league draws, with three of them producing under 2.5 goals. Although they’ve suffered one defeat in 13 LL home clashes so far, the Oranges have pulled off only three wins as they remain the only side in the Spanish top flight to collect nine home stalemates. Just three teams have shipped fewer goals at home than Valencia (9) this campaign, with Marcelino Garcia Toral’s men keeping five clean sheets along the way.

Not long ago, the visitors were searching for a way out of the relegation territory, but a promising run of form has propelled them to the European promotion battle. Unbeaten in their last three LL outings (W2, D1), Los Leones arrive at the Mestalla hoping they can post back-to-back LL away wins for the first time this season. It has taken eight games for the Rojiblancos to secure their first LL road victory as they still struggle for consistency away from home. Bilbao’s main problem has been their inability to preserve a clean slate away from the San Mames, but Gaizka Garitano’s men have managed to prevent their rivals from scoring twice on their last five LL road trips, allowing over 1.5 goals per match once in the process.