Athletic Club host Valencia at San Mamés Barria on Sunday afternoon in Round 35 of La Liga, with both sides arriving in very different moods after a mixed run of results.
For Athletic, this is a chance to build on a morale-boosting win over Deportivo Alavés and turn home advantage into a stronger finish to the campaign. Valencia, meanwhile, need a response after another setback against Atlético Madrid and will be wary of letting their recent inconsistency deepen.
Why it matters
The fixture matters because Athletic are trying to steady their season and make San Mamés count at a decisive stage of the campaign. Their recent results have been uneven, but the win over Osasuna and the four-goal display against Alavés suggest there is still enough attacking threat to shape the closing weeks.
Valencia’s situation feels more fragile. They have taken only one win from their last five league matches and have struggled to string together a convincing run, which makes this trip a test of resilience as much as quality. A positive result would help halt the drift and restore some direction.
Form picture
Athletic’s recent league form has been inconsistent, but there have been clear signs of life. They beat Deportivo Alavés 4-2 away and Osasuna 1-0 at home, yet those results have been interrupted by defeats to Atlético Madrid, Villarreal and Getafe.
That pattern suggests a side capable of sharp attacking spells but still vulnerable when matches become stretched. At home, Athletic have shown they can control games for periods, but they have not always been able to sustain that level across 90 minutes.
Valencia’s form has been harder to trust. Their only win in the last five league matches came against Girona, while draws with Mallorca and defeats to Atlético Madrid, Elche and Celta de Vigo underline a team struggling for consistency.
The broader picture is one of narrow margins and missed opportunities. Valencia have not been heavily outclassed in every game, but they have too often been left chasing matches or failing to turn decent phases into results.
Key storyline
The main tactical story is likely to be Athletic’s front-foot approach against a Valencia side set up to stay compact and counter. Athletic have used a 4-2-3-1 in their recent matches, with Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams offering pace and direct running from wide areas.
Valencia’s recent 4-4-2 shape points to a more conservative plan, with Luis Rioja and Largie Ramazani providing width and Umar Sadiq leading the line. That sets up a contest between Athletic’s pressing and Valencia’s attempts to break out quickly when space opens.
Team news
Athletic remain without Beñat Prados, who is sidelined by a cruciate ligament tear. Otherwise, the expected line-up is close to the one used in recent league matches, with Unai Simón behind a back four of Andoni Gorosabel, Aymeric Laporte, Yeray Álvarez and Yuri Berchiche.
The midfield and attacking structure also looks settled, with Alejandro Rego, Mikel Jauregizar, Nico Williams, Unai Gómez, Iñaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta likely to keep their places. That continuity should help Athletic maintain their usual rhythm and intensity.
Valencia are missing Thierry Correia through muscle injury, which limits their defensive options. Their recent selections suggest Stole Dimitrievski will continue in goal, with César Tárrega, José Gayà, Pepelu and Renzo Saravia forming the defensive base.
Further forward, Valencia are expected to keep faith with Filip Ugrinic, Guido Rodríguez and Javi Guerra in midfield, while Luis Rioja, Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq provide the main attacking threat. The shape may again lean towards a compact 4-4-2, designed to keep Athletic at arm’s length for as long as possible.
Tactical battle
The key area of the match is likely to be Athletic’s wide attacking play against Valencia’s full-backs and wide midfielders. If Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams can isolate defenders early, Athletic should be able to force Valencia deeper and pin them in.
Valencia’s best route is probably to keep the game tight and look for moments to spring forward through Rioja, Ramazani and Sadiq. If they can survive the early pressure, the match may become more awkward for Athletic than the home crowd would like.
Recent meetings
Recent meetings have been tight, with three of the last five decided by a single goal and Athletic winning two of the last three. Valencia did win the most recent meeting 2-0 in September 2025, but Athletic had already taken narrow victories in May 2025 and August 2024.
Reporter’s view
This feels like a match where Athletic’s energy and home setting should matter, especially against a Valencia side that has not found much rhythm in recent weeks. The hosts have shown enough attacking variety to suggest they can create chances, even if their form has not been flawless.
Valencia are capable of making this uncomfortable, particularly if they keep their shape and slow the game down, but their recent results point to a team that is still searching for a reliable formula. Athletic look better placed to dictate the tempo and edge a contest that may stay close for long spells.
Prediction
Athletic Club to edge a tight contest, with their home pressure and wider attacking threat likely to make the difference.
