Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia: European race dey hot for San Mames

Football fans, make we yarn about the match wey don happen for San Mames between Athletic Bilbao and Valencia for La Liga. Athletic Bilbao dey fight to enter Europe, while Valencia still dey look over their shoulder for relegation.

Ernesto Valverde, the manager of Athletic Bilbao, bin set im team for 4-2-3-1 formation. Carlos Corberán, wey dey manage Valencia, also choose 4-4-1-1 formation. Both teams bin ready for battle.

For Athletic Bilbao, dem bin get some injury worries. Benat Prados bin dey doubtful, but e get chance to play. Robert Navarro, wey score and play well against Alaves, bin start for the match. Nico Williams, wey bin show im best against Alaves with two goals, also dey aim to finish the season strong.

Valencia bin get plenty players wey no fit play. Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier, Copete, Thierry Correia and Julen Agirrezabala all bin ruled out. Lucas Beltran bin dey major doubt. Corberán bin fit make three changes from the side wey lose to Atletico Madrid. Unai Nunez and Eray Comert fit enter defence, while Diego Lopez fit play for wide area. Umar Sadiq, wey score two goals for im last three La Liga games, bin expected to start for the middle.

For the first half, Hugo Duro of Valencia bin commit foul on Alejandro Rego of Athletic Bilbao, wey give Athletic a free kick for defensive half. The match bin get delay because of injury to Hugo Duro and Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao. After delay, the first half bin begin.

According to Matt Law for Sports Mole, Athletic Bilbao dey eighth for La Liga table with 44 points from 34 matches. Dem dey level on points with seventh-placed Getafe and three points behind Celta Vigo for sixth. Valencia dey 12th with 13 points from 17 away matches. Dem dey three points above relegation zone, but only five points off seventh-placed Getafe.

For the pre-match press conference, Carlos Corberán bin talk about the need to make the most of their needs to perform at their best. E say, “We have to make the most of our needs to perform at our best.” E also talk about the team’s improvement from first to second half of the season. Dem dey generate sixth most expected goals and dey fourth or fifth for teams wey opponents generate fewest expected goals against dem.

Corberán bin talk about the importance of mental rest and the schedule. E say, “Out of the last 31 days, the team will have had 4 days off.” E also say, “We understand the need to get points, and we must use this opportunity to bring out the best in ourselves as a team.”

For Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup, dem get Simon for goal, Gorosabel, Alvarez, Laporte, Berchiche for defence, Ruiz de Galarreta, Rego for midfield, Navarro, Sancet, N Williams for attack, and Guruzeta for striker. For Valencia possible starting lineup, dem get Dimitrievski for goal, U Nunez, Comert, Tarrega, Gaya for defence, Rioja, Guerra, Rodriguez, Lopez for midfield, Ramazani, Sadiq for attack.

This match dey important for both sides. Athletic Bilbao need win to keep pushing for top six. Valencia need points to avoid relegation. The match dey tight, but Athletic Bilbao get quality to win.