As pundits in Spain look for a more open title race than in the last couple of seasons, Valencia have quickly become pushed as the team capable of challenging the Real Madrid-Barcelona duopoly. Last term’s distant third placed finishers have started this campaign in superb style, recording 13 points from a possible 15 in league play.
Unai Emery’s men suffered their first significant set-back in midweek, when they were defeated by Manchester United in the Champions League. It was a game that produced few openings and appeared to be heading towards a scoreless draw before Javier Hernandez’s late intervention gave the Red Devils maximum points at the Mestalla.
“We are satisfied with everything except the result,” Emery explained to the media after the midweek battle. “The team played well. There is nothing to criticise because we played to win and we must always have that mentality.
“The team was compact and takes another step in maturity and confidence. This match allows us to look optimistically at the future and we must continue to believe in the path we are on.”
Los Che’s only blemishes this season have both come in front of their home supporters to date. Defeated by the Premier League runners-up, they were also held against Atletico Madrid, meaning three points on Saturday night are all the more important.
Bad Travellers
Already Athletic Bilbao have established themselves as a side on the fringes of the European race, a position they will ultimately hope to enhance before the season is out. With five matches passed, los Leones have suffered two defeats but have equally registered two victories, Mallorca and Hercules their victims.
Last weekend, Joaquin Caparros’ side were out-played by Barcelona on a miserable evening at San Mames. Even on a treacherous pitch that would seem to suit the Basques more than their guests, they slid to a 3-1 loss in a sometimes ill-tempered affair that saw Fernando Amorebieta and David Villa dismissed.
Javi Martinez has looked ahead to the forthcoming challenge against Valencia, and it’s clear he anticipates los Che to be tough opponents. “Valencia are much more solid and compact than last year,” he noted to the press. “We know that this part of the championship is very complicated because now we have to face the league leaders and it will be very difficult to win at their field.”
Unlike last season, the Basques don’t have to wrestle with addition fatigue caused by European participation, so they will hope to better their record against Unai Emery’s side, who chalked up two victories over them last term. Indeed, 15 of Athletic’s last 20 visits to the Mestalla have been lost.
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Hedwiges Maduro picked up a hamstring problem against Manchester United but could be available at the weekend. Joaquin is still absent, while Ever Banega has returned to training but is unlikely to be involved.
Athletic Bilbao
Fernando Amorebieta has been handed a one match suspension and won’t be eligible to play on Saturday.
Gaizka Toquero has been training normally with the team after nearly a month out through injury and could well be restored to the starting XI alongside Fernando Llorente.
Prediction
Buoyed by an excellent start to the campaign, Valencia start this match as warm favourites. Unai Emery has the requisite depth in his side to rejuvenate any tired midweek legs, while los Che’s squad is simply brimming with confidence at present. Athletic Bilbao are not a team who should be lightly written off, but after losing their last three against the Mestalla club in La Liga, they’re likely to suffer an unwelcome fourth straight loss.
Valencia 2-0 Athletic Bilbao 
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