Sabasports Match Preview
LaLiga: Athletic Club, Valencia
Kickoff Time: 2024-08-29 01:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Nacho Doce
In the last round of the league, Athletic Club lost 1-2 away to Barcelona. So far this season, the team has only managed one draw and one loss in two league matches, which is not an ideal performance. This summer, Athletic Club successfully retained their core player Nico Williams and also signed winger Alvaro Djalo from Braga. They later added right-back Andoni Gorosabel from Alaves on a free transfer. Additionally, they promoted young right-back Hugo Rincon from the B team, which has improved the overall strength of the squad. Athletic Club primarily plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is known for their tough playing style, excelling at utilizing wing breakthroughs and set pieces to create threats. However, based on their performance in the new season, Athletic Club needs to improve in both attack and defense.
In the new season, Valencia first lost 1-2 at home to Barcelona and then suffered a 1-3 defeat away to Celta Vigo, starting the season with two consecutive losses and showing a rather dismal form. This summer, Valencia signed veteran goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski from Rayo Vallecano on a free transfer and then loaned striker Daniel Gomez from Levante, but these moves did not significantly enhance the overall strength of the team. In the first two matches, Valencia scored only two goals while conceding as many as five. Valencia attempted to strengthen their performance in both attack and defense with low-cost signings, but this approach seems to have had little effect. Moreover, Valencia’s away performance has always been much weaker than their home performance, which has been a longstanding weakness.
Both teams have not performed ideally in the new season, but based on overall strength and the quality of signings, Athletic Club is clearly stronger than Valencia. Additionally, in their last five encounters, Athletic Club has an advantage with three wins, one draw and one loss. Coupled with the fact that they are playing at home in this match, Athletic Club is undoubtedly more trustworthy than Valencia.
Athletic Club’s Last 5 Games: LDLLW
24-08-25 Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Club
24-08-16 Athletic Club 1-1 Getafe
24-08-10 VfB Stuttgart 4-0 Athletic Club
24-08-08 Aston Villa 3-2 Athletic Club
24-08-04 Athletic Club 2-1 Osasuna
Valencia’s Last 5 Games: LLWLD
24-08-24 Celta Vigo 3-1 Valencia
24-08-18 Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
24-08-11 Valencia 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
24-08-03 Leeds United 2-1 Valencia
24-08-01 Valencia 0-0 Levante
Head To Head Record:
24-01-21 Valencia 1-0 Athletic Club
23-10-30 Athletic Club 2-2 Valencia
23-02-12 Valencia 1-2 Athletic Club
23-01-27 Valencia 1-3 Athletic Club
22-08-21 Athletic Club 1-0 Valencia
Prediction: Athletic Club to win