Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions Primera Division Spain, Spain	20/10/2012 20:00	full time result	Draw	3.90	Bet at VCbet
Betting prediction was written by Matt

Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions and preview: Betting stats

Valencia sit a disappointing 14^th in La Liga with 8 points from their opening 7 games (W2 D2 L3). After drawing their first two games their form is LWLWL. At home they have two wins and a draw from their fixtures against three sides probably not expected to challenge them. Their most recent game was a 1-0 away defeat against local rivals Levante. Their games have seen an average of 2.43 goals with only 2 of their matches seeing over 2.5 goals; 5 with fewer.

Athletic Bilbao sit two places below their opponents in 16^th but have the same points and record so far. Their form is a little better at WDDLW but away from home they are yet to record a victory. A heavy defeat by Atletico Madrid followed by a draw at Espanyol and another defeat against Sociedad. Their games average 3.29 goals yet only three of their games have seen 3 or more goals; 4 with fewer.

In terms of head-to-head record, Bilbao have won just once at the Mestalla and haven’t won home or away against Valencia since 2009. The last three corresponding fixtures have finished 2-0, 2-1 and most recently 1-1.

Team News and Run of Play

Both Mathieu and Banega look to be returning to full fitness for Valencia. Mathieu made the bench last week and has expressed his desire to return to first team action.

Valencia have had a disappointing start to their season. They are a side who would be expected to finish in the top 4 in La Liga but their first 7 games have left them well off the pace. They seem to be able to get results at home but away they haven’t yet mustered a win (1 draw, 3 defeats) and will need to arrest the slump in form if they wish to begin a move up the table. They have scored 7 of their 8 goals at home this season and it must be said they’re probably expecting more from star striker Soldado.

Athletic Bilbao have also been poor this season so far. They are the joint worst defence in the league and with a wantaway striker in Fernando Llorente not playing for a few games they have been left floundering down the league.

I suspect this game will be a fairly tempestuous affair with both sides desperate to rectify their poor league positions. In 2010/11 these sides finished 3^rd and 6^th respectively with 3^rd and 10^th finishes last season (Bilbao have been a force in Europe also) and you would not have expected them to be where they are in the league so far. It must be noted that neither side are particularly potent going forward.

Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions: 1X2 betting preview

For me there lies no value in a poor Valencia side. They may be at home but they have been fairly unconvincing despite their two wins and a draw against opposition with lower expectations than themselves. Personally I think the value seems to lie in the draw.

If you agree that neither side will take the win, bet it at 3.90 with BetVictor.

Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions: Asian Handicap preview

For me, any Asian Handicap bet favouring Bilbao would be a good bet. The best value seems to come with Athletic Bilbao (+0.75) which is around about Even money.

Bet it at Ladbrokes if you fancy them to at least bag a draw.

Valencia v Athletic Bilbao predictions: Total Goals preview

Looking at average goals for both sides we can see Valencia aren’t particularly high scoring. Interestingly Bilbao are very inconsistent. 3 of their games (3-3, 0-4, 3-5) have supplied 6 of their goals scored and 12 of their goals conceded, meaning their other 4 matches have seen a total of just 5 goals. For me I think this is another low scoring affair so the bet is under 2.5 goals.

Under 2.5 goals is 2.10 with BetVictor so if you can’t see much in it, click here.