La Liga | Gameweek 13

Nov 10, 2024 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla

Valladolidvs.Athletic Bilbao

Match preview

Real Valladolid have collected eight points from their 12 La Liga games this season, thanks to a record of two wins, two draws and eight defeats, which leaves them 19th in the table.

Goals have been a problem for them this season, with only nine finding the back of the net, while they have the worst defensive record in La Liga this term, conceding 24 goals, which will be a concern at this stage of the campaign.

Paulo Pezzolano's side go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Osasuna and have now lost five of their last six league games, including the last two against Villarreal and Osasuna.

The White and Violets won twice at the end of October, beating Alaves in La Liga and Asturias in the Copa del Rey, and they certainly have the quality to cause Athletic problems in this contest.

However, Real Valladolid have lost their last three league games in front of their own fans and will welcome an Athletic side that has only been beaten once in all competitions since the end of August.

Athletic were in Europa League action on Thursday night when they defeated Ludogorets 2-1 to move up to sixth in the standings with 10 points from four games.

Ernesto Valverde's side have also made a solid start to their 2024-25 La Liga campaign, with a record of five wins, four draws and three defeats from 12 games to collect 19 points, leaving them in sixth place.

They are just four points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid and five behind second-placed Real Madrid, but have won just one of their last five league games, at home to Espanyol on 19 October.

The Basque side have drawn with Mallorca and Real Betis in their last two games and have a mixed record on the road this term, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their five away games.

Athletic won both La Liga meetings between the two sides in 2022-23, but Valladolid beat the Basque side 2-1 when the two met at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla in November 2020.

Recent Performance

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

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Real Valladolid form (all competitions):

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Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

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Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

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Team News

Real Valladolid will be without three players through injury on Sunday, with Juanmi Latasa, Cesar de la Hoz and Cenk Ozkacar all ruled out.

Coach Pezzolano will resist the temptation to change his side after the defeat at Osasuna and it would not be surprising to see the same XI take the field.

Mario Martin should retain his place in the middle of midfield, while Raul Moro is a safe bet on the left.

Athletic will be without Mikel Jauregizar, Gorka Guruzeta and Unai Simon through injury,

Despite the relatively quick turnaround, Valverde is unlikely to make many changes to the side that kicked off against Ludogorets in the Europa League.

Alvaro Djalo should benefit from Guruzeta's absence to continue in the middle of the park for the Basque side, while Inaki Williams and Nico Williams will start out wide, although Oscar de Marcos could be recalled at right-back.

Possible starting lineups

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Perez, Sanchez, Torres, Rosa; Martin, Comert; Tuhami, Amallah, Moro; Sylla

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Djalo