Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: La Liga Preview, Team News and Prediction

Valencia are in deep trouble near the foot of La Liga, and they host an Athletic Club side that prides itself on defensive organisation and sits comfortably in mid-table. The match is a first home game for Valencia's new manager and a test of a leaky home side against the league's meanest defence. Follow Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao live on Score808 for the score, lineups and stats.

Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao: Kick-Off Time and Venue

• Competition: La Liga 2026/27, Round 9
• Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
• Kick-off: 22:00 Kenya time (EAT), 21:00 CEST, 20:00 BST, 19:00 UTC
• Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain

League Table Before the Match

Barcelona lead with a perfect 24 points from eight games. Valencia have only five points from eight games, their worst start in years, and only Málaga sit below them. Athletic have played fewer league matches than most of the top half, yet are level on points with several sides above them.

Valencia: Form and Team News

Valencia's season has been difficult. Their last five finished matches:

• Racing de Santander 2-2 Valencia (11 Oct)
• Valencia 2-3 Real Sociedad (20 Sep)
• Deportivo Alavés 0-1 Valencia (15 Sep)
• Sevilla 1-0 Valencia (11 Sep)
• Valencia 0-5 Barcelona (6 Sep)

That is one win, one draw and three defeats. After four consecutive defeats, the manager Carlos Corberán was dismissed. Javier Aguirre takes charge at home for the first time after a draw at Racing Santander on his debut, and the club is marking this as the final season of competitive football at Mestalla.

The home form is the real problem. Valencia have taken one point from four games at Mestalla this season, scoring only two goals and conceding nine. They have scored 0.75 goals per match, the third fewest in the league.

Likely names: Dimitrievski in goal, Gayà, Guido Rodríguez, Javi Guerra and Ugrinić in the middle, with Raba and Hugo Duro in attack. I found no confirmed injury list for Valencia, so wait for the official lineup.

Athletic Bilbao: Form and Team News

Athletic have been hard to beat. Their last five results:

• Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Athletic Bilbao (10 Oct)
• Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Deportivo Alavés (19 Sep)
• Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Elche (12 Sep)
• Athletic Bilbao 3-0 Atlético Madrid (5 Sep)
• Celta Vigo 0-2 Athletic Bilbao (30 Aug)

That is two wins and three draws, unbeaten. They have conceded just once in that stretch. Athletic have kept a clean sheet in 57% of their games, the highest rate in La Liga. The weakness is attack, as they have scored only seven goals in seven games.

The injury list is the main storyline. Oihan Sancet is out with a calf injury, while Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams are major doubts. Another preview says Athletic remain without Williams and Sancet. Edin Terzić has said he wants a side that is difficult to beat, and that is how Athletic have played.

Likely names: Unai Simón in goal, Berchiche, Paredes and Yeray in defence, Ruiz de Galarreta in midfield, Navarro in attack and Iñaki Williams leading the line.

Head-to-Head Record

The recent history favours Valencia. Last season Valencia won 2-0 at Mestalla and 1-0 at San Mamés, with Athletic taking revenge in the Copa del Rey in between, winning 2-1. Overall, Athletic lead the recorded series with six wins to Valencia's three, with one draw. That is a sign that games between these clubs are decided by narrow margins.

Key Players to Watch

• Iñaki Williams (Athletic): the experienced forward who leads Athletic's attack.
• Robert Navarro (Athletic): a creative threat in a thin attacking line.
• Unai Simón (Athletic): the goalkeeper behind La Liga's meanest defence.
• Hugo Duro (Valencia): the striker Valencia need to find goals from.
• José Gayà (Valencia): the captain and a steady presence under a new manager.

Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction

Previews lean towards Athletic, with a low-scoring game expected:

• WhoScored predicts a 2-1 win for Athletic Club.
• Squawka predicts Valencia 0-1 Athletic Club.
• Tips.gg predicts Athletic to leave with the points, most likely 0-1 or 0-2.
• Sportskeeda predicts a 1-1 draw.
• Statz also predicts 1-1, with Athletic slightly more likely to win.

Our view: Athletic's defence is the best in the league, while Valencia have struggled to score at home. But a new manager's first home game can lift a team, and Athletic's attack is thin without Sancet and possibly Williams. A narrow Athletic win, 0-1, looks most likely, with a draw close behind. This is a forecast, not a guarantee.

How to Follow Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao Live

Open the Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao match page on Score808 for live updates, lineups and stats. You can also visit the La Liga hub for the full table and fixtures, and see team pages for Valencia and Athletic Bilbao. To catch up on recent form, see Racing de Santander vs Valencia, Valencia vs Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao and Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid. For more La Liga, read our Levante vs Sevilla preview. Check your local broadcaster for the TV channel.

FAQ

What time is Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao in Kenya?
Kick-off is 22:00 EAT on Saturday 17 October 2026, which is 19:00 UTC.

Where is the match being played?
At the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain.

Where do the teams sit in the La Liga table?
Valencia are 19th with five points. Athletic are 9th with nine points and have played one game fewer.

Who manages each team?
Javier Aguirre at Valencia and Edin Terzić at Athletic.

Who is injured for Athletic?
Oihan Sancet is out, and Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte are doubts. Check the confirmed lineup before kick-off.

Who is favourite to win?
Athletic, by a narrow margin.