Preview: Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Valencia and Athletic Bilbao will square off in La Liga action on Saturday, as both sides look to bounce back from defeats last time out.

The hosts were handed a 3-1 loss by Sevilla on Wednesday, while the Basque outfit fell short against newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano.

Match preview

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After an underwhelming campaign last time around, eventually finishing in 13th spot, Valencia began the new term in style, sitting on 10 points from their opening four outings, as they defeated Getafe, Alaves and Osasuna and drew with Granada, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in that time.

That saw them occupy second spot, but their unbeaten run was put to an end when they took on league leaders Real Madrid last week, despite the game looking set to finish in a far different way.

Jose Bordalas's side went ahead through Hugo Duro on the hour mark, and led heading into the final five minutes, only for Vinicius Junior to draw Los Blancos level, before Karim Benzema quickly completed the turnaround and snatched all three points for the Madrid giants.

Los Murcielagos were then handed their second straight defeat last time out, as Alejandro Gomez, Gonzalo Montiel and Rafa Mir all got on the scoresheet for Sevilla inside the first 25 minutes, with Duro pulling a goal back for his side to see the clash finish 3-1.

Despite that halt in form, Bordalas's men remain in the top four, and they will be keen to make a quick return to winning ways to establish themselves at the top end of the division.

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They meet an Athletic Bilbao side who will also look to bounce back from a defeat last time out, as newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano put an end to the Basque side's unbeaten start.

The game looked set to end 1-1 after Pathe Ciss's own goal had drawn Marcelino's side level, only for veteran striker Radamel Falcao to come off the bench and head in a 96th-minute winner to snatch all three points for the visitors.

Before that, Athletic Club had collected nine points from their first five outings, defeating Celta Vigo and Mallorca and earning more than commendable draws against Barcelona and defending champions Atletico Madrid, alongside a goalless stalemate with Elche on the opening day.

Marcelino has continued to ensure that his side remain solid defensively, with only third-placed Sevilla conceding fewer than the three goals that they have shipped so far, with Athletic Bilbao having played one more match.

They will hope to carry that forward and bounce back from the recent blip to kickstart another positive run and break back into the top six of the La Liga table.

Team News

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Valencia have an unenviable injury list to deal with heading into Saturday's game, with key full-backs Jose Gaya and Thierry Correia ruled out alongside wingers Carlos Soler and Denis Cheryshev.

Goncalo Guedes and Maxi Gomez will continue to lead the line with the support of winger Hugo Duro, who has netted two goals in the first four league games of the season.

Despite conceding three goals quickly last time out, Gabriel and Omar Alderete will again partner up at the heart of a back four, shielding Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has kept hold of the gloves since the return of Jasper Cillesen from injury.

Athletic Bilbao made several changes to the side on Wednesday given their hectic schedule, and the likes of Alex Berenguer, Mikel Balenziaga and Inaki Williams should return to the starting XI.

Williams will likely lead the line alongside Raul Garcia, with Berenguer and captain Iker Muniain operating on the flanks.

They remain without several players through injury, as Oihan Sancet, Yeray Alvarez, Peru Nolaskoain and Yuri Berchiche are all sidelined.

Dani Vivian and Spain international Inigo Martinez form a formidable defensive pairing, and they should rejoin one another after Vivian was rested last time out.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Gabriel, Alderete, Lato; Jason, Wass, Guillamon, Duro; Guedes, Gomez

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, Zarraga, Vesga, Muniain; Williams, Garcia

We say: Valencia 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Both sides boast strong squads and will be keen to bounce back from defeats after relatively impressive starts, and we cannot quite pick a winner.

With the hosts showing impressive ability going forward and the Basque side thriving defensively, this will certainly be an intriguing affair, and we are opting for a relatively low-scoring draw on Saturday.