Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes, left vies with Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos during a 0-0 draw between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao on November 9th, 2014. (Getty)
Valencia sits fourth in La Liga, tied with Sevilla, and tied Villareal 0-0 on April 5th, 2015. Athletic Bilbao lost to Sevilla 2-0 on April 4th, 2015 and is 8th in La Liga table with 39 points. Athletic Bilbao played Valencia to a 0-0 draw on November 9th, 2015.
Valencia need a win to maintain their push for Champions League football, as they are now four points behind Atletico Madrid for third in La Liga, as Atletico Madrid won 2-0 against Real Sociedad on April 7th, 2015. Sevilla also won 2-1 at Levante on Tuesday April 7th, 2015 to go level on 61 points with Valencia.
Athletic Bilbao saw their five-match winning run in La Liga end on Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Sevilla. The defeat was even more painful as Athletic’s Iker Muniain tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and has been ruled out for at least six months. To further complicate matters for Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, Spanish midfielder Ander Iturraspe is also unavailable to face Valencia because of a muscular injury. Athletic have won their last three home league games and are eighth in the standings, but are 22 points behind Thursday’s opponents.
The Basics
Who:
What:
La Liga Game Week 30
When:
Thursday, April 9
Where:
Estadio San Memes in Bilbao, Spain
Time:
2:00 PM Eastern Time
Channel:
beIN Sports (US)/Canal+ Liga (Spain)/For those looking for the channel in your home country, click here
Odds: Valencia +179, Athletic Bilbao +160, Draw +216
Stats You Need to Know
Scouting Athletic Bilbao
Record: 11-6-12, 8th (39 points)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde, 2nd season
Goals Per Game: .93
Clean Sheets: 10
Leading Goal Scorer: Aritz Aduriz, 11
Assist Leader: Markel Susaeta, 6
Card Leader: Artiz Aduriz, 9 yellow cards
Scouting Valencia
Record: 18-7-4, 4th (61 points)
Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo, 1st season
Goals Per Game: 1.79
Clean Sheets: 13
Leading Goal Scorer: Daniel Parejo, 9
Assist Leader: Pablo Piatti, 6
Card Leader: Daniel Parejo, 10 yellow cards
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Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia: Time, Channel, Odds