Valencia vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips (20 September)

Valencia welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Mestalla on September 20th in what promises to be a tightly contested LaLiga clash. The hosts, under the guidance of Carlos Corberán, are riding a wave of confidence after a commanding 3-0 win over Getafe, with goals from Hugo Duro, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Arnaut Danjuma. That result snapped a winless streak and injected much-needed momentum into a side that had previously struggled to convert possession into goals. With four points from their opening matches and a mid-table standing, Los Che will be eager to build on their recent success and climb the rankings.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, arrive in Valencia with wind in their sails. Ernesto Valverde’s men are sitting second in the table, having collected nine points from their first four games. Their latest outing saw them edge Real Betis 2-1, thanks to goals from Marc Bartra and Aitor Paredes. However, the Basque side will be without star winger Nico Williams, who sustained an injury ahead of their Champions League opener against Arsenal. His absence could tilt the attacking balance, especially as Bilbao have conceded nine goals in their last six matches—an area Valencia may look to exploit.



Historically, Athletic have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of the last five meetings, including a 1-0 victory at Mestalla in May. Yet, Valencia’s recent form and home advantage suggest a shift in dynamics. Corberán’s tactical tweaks have tightened the defense and added bite to the attack, while the return of key players has bolstered squad depth. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Javi Guerra and André Almeida tasked with disrupting Bilbao’s rhythm and feeding the front line.

Given the current trajectory of both teams, a 2-1 scoreline in favor of Valencia feels plausible. Athletic’s defensive frailties, compounded by the absence of Nico Williams, may leave them vulnerable to Valencia’s pressing game and quick transitions. Expect Danjuma to be a key figure once again, while Bilbao will likely rely on Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet to keep them in contention. It’s a matchup of grit versus flair, and if Valencia can replicate their Getafe performance, they might just edge this one by the narrowest of margins.