Match Information
Match Overview
This Regular Season Round 35 encounter at Estadio de San Mamés brings together Athletic Club and Valencia in a late-season La Liga fixture where both teams will be looking to improve their current standings. Athletic Club, sitting in 8th position, host Valencia who find themselves in 13th place as the campaign enters its final stretch.
Our see the in-depth numbers covers the key factors in greater depth.
Athletic Club's recent form presents a mixed picture with two wins and three defeats in their last five league outings. Their impressive 4-2 victory away to Alaves on May 2 demonstrated their attacking capabilities, following a solid 1-0 home win against Osasuna on April 21. However, Ernesto Valverde's side has shown vulnerability in away fixtures, suffering defeats to Atletico Madrid (3-2 on April 25) and Getafe (2-0 on April 5), alongside a home loss to Villarreal (1-2 on April 12). The inconsistency in results suggests a team still finding their rhythm in crucial matches.
Valencia under Carlos Corberan has struggled for consistency throughout this period, managing just one victory in their last five league matches. Their 2-1 home win against Girona on April 25 stands as their only bright spot, while defeats to Atletico Madrid (0-2 at home on May 2), Elche (1-0 away on April 11), and Celta Vigo (2-3 at home on April 5) highlight defensive frailties. A 1-1 draw away to Mallorca on April 21 shows they can compete away from home, but their overall form trajectory remains concerning for a team needing points to climb the table.
Both teams enter this fixture with no reported injuries, meaning Valverde and Corberan will have their full squads available for selection. This could prove crucial in a match where tactical flexibility and squad depth may determine the outcome as both managers look to secure valuable points in their respective campaigns.
Predicted Lineups
Athletic Club
Simón; Gorosabel, Alvarez, Laporte, Berchiche; Rego, Jauregizar, Williams, Gomez, Williams; Guruzeta
Valencia
Dimitrievski; Saravia, Tarrega, Pepelu, Gaya; Rioja, Guerra, Rodriguez, Ugrinic; Ramazani, Sadiq
Team Form Analysis
Athletic Club
League Position: 8Athletic Club Form Analysis
Athletic Club's recent form showcases a team capable of producing exciting attacking displays but lacking defensive consistency. Their most impressive performance came in the 4-2 victory away to Alaves on May 2, where they demonstrated clinical finishing and resilience after conceding first. This result followed a disciplined 1-0 home win against Osasuna on April 21, suggesting they can adapt their approach based on the opposition.
However, defensive vulnerabilities have cost them valuable points in recent weeks. The 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid on April 25, despite scoring twice, highlighted their inability to maintain leads against quality opposition. More concerning was the 2-0 loss to Getafe on April 5, where they failed to create clear chances against well-organized defensive opposition. The home defeat to Villarreal on April 12 further emphasized their inconsistency at San Mamés.
Ernesto Valverde's tactical approach has shown flexibility, with the team capable of scoring multiple goals as evidenced by their four-goal haul against Alaves. The presence of both Williams brothers in attack provides pace and creativity, while Guruzeta offers a focal point in the final third. Their 8th position reflects a team that can trouble any opponent on their day but struggles for the consistency required to challenge for European qualification.
Valencia
League Position: 13Valencia Form Analysis
Valencia's recent form reveals a team struggling to find their identity under Carlos Corberan's management. Their solitary victory in the last five league matches came against Girona on April 25, a 2-1 home win that briefly suggested improvement. However, this positive result has been overshadowed by concerning defeats that highlight fundamental issues throughout the squad.
The most damaging result was the 0-2 home defeat to Atletico Madrid on May 2, where Valencia failed to register sustained attacking threat against organized opposition. Their inability to score against Diego Simeone's side exposed limitations in their creative play and finishing quality. The away defeat to Elche on April 11 was particularly troubling, losing to lower-league opposition and failing to capitalize on their superior squad depth.
Defensive frailties have been evident in home fixtures, most notably in the 2-3 defeat to Celta Vigo on April 5 where they surrendered a lead and allowed three goals at the Mestalla. Their best result came away from home with the 1-1 draw at Mallorca on April 21, suggesting they may perform better when expectations are reduced. Corberan's tactical setup has struggled to maximize the potential of attacking players like Ramazani and Sadiq, while the defensive unit lacks the cohesion needed for consistent clean sheets.
Head-to-Head
Athletic Club
Valencia
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-04 | Valencia | 1 - 2 | Athletic Club |
| 2025-09-20 | Valencia | 2 - 0 | Athletic Club |
| 2025-05-18 | Valencia | 0 - 1 | Athletic Club |
| 2024-08-28 | Athletic Club | 1 - 0 | Valencia |
| 2024-01-20 | Valencia | 1 - 0 | Athletic Club |
| 2023-10-29 | Athletic Club | 2 - 2 | Valencia |
| 2023-02-11 | Valencia | 1 - 2 | Athletic Club |
| 2023-01-26 | Valencia | 1 - 3 | Athletic Club |
| 2022-08-21 | Athletic Club | 1 - 0 | Valencia |
| 2022-05-07 | Athletic Club | 0 - 0 | Valencia |
Memorable Matches
The head-to-head history between these sides features several compelling encounters that highlight the competitive nature of this fixture. The most recent meeting on February 4 ended in a 2-1 victory for Athletic Club away at Valencia, showcasing their ability to perform at the Mestalla. This result continued Athletic's recent dominance in the fixture, having won three of the last four encounters between the teams.
The September 20, 2025 match stands out as Valencia's most convincing recent victory, a 2-0 home win that demonstrated their potential when firing on all cylinders. Athletic Club's 1-0 home victory on May 18, 2025 exemplified their ability to grind out results at San Mamés, while their comprehensive 3-1 victory at Valencia in January 2023 remains one of their most dominant performances in recent years.
The fixture has consistently produced entertaining encounters with both teams capable of scoring multiple goals. The 2-2 draw on October 29, 2023 at San Mamés epitomized the competitive balance between these sides, with neither able to establish complete dominance over the course of 90 minutes.
Venue Factor
Estadio de San Mamés represents one of La Liga's most intimidating venues, with Athletic Club's passionate supporter base creating an atmosphere that can significantly impact visiting teams. The unique architecture and proximity of fans to the pitch intensifies the experience for away teams, particularly those struggling for form and confidence like Valencia currently are.
Athletic Club's recent home form has been inconsistent, with the 1-0 victory over Osasuna on April 21 demonstrating their ability to leverage home advantage against organized opposition. However, the 1-2 defeat to Villarreal on April 12 showed they are not invincible at San Mamés, particularly against teams with clear tactical plans and quality in the final third.
Valencia's away record this season has been mixed, but their recent performances suggest they struggle when facing hostile atmospheres. Their 1-1 draw at Mallorca on April 21 was their most positive away result recently, achieved at a venue with less intimidating atmosphere than San Mamés. Carlos Corberan will need to prepare his team mentally for the challenge of playing in Bilbao, where the crowd can influence referee decisions and create additional pressure during crucial moments of the match.
Injury Concerns
Athletic Club
Valencia
