Valencia vs Athletic Betting Tip Athletic – 1 July 2020

Valencia vs Athletic
1 July 1830hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Athletic
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 11/5 odds taken 1500 GMT, Tuesday 30 June

Chaotic Valencia will just be hoping to get back to winning ways following all the off the field drama when they take on Athletic Club at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

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Valencia Preview – Can the interim coach have an instant impact and lead Valencia to victory?

Drama never seems to be far away from Valencia and they have courted more attention this week with yet another managerial sacking. Albert Celades was shown the door following a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Villareal at the weekend. That was a third defeat in four games and makes it just two wins in their last 10 La Liga games. On one hand you can make a case for it being justified but Celades has been in the role for just nine months.

Cesar Sanchez has resigned as Sporting Director in protest of the sacking whilst regular caretaker Voro Gonzalez takes charge for the rest of the season.

 

 

Valencia did have hopes of finishing in the top four once again, even coming into this part of the season following the layoff. It’s simply not worked out taking four points from a possible 15. It leaves them in eighth spot and now and eight points behind Sevilla who sit fourth.

It’s difficult to see them making significant ground on the teams above them not only because of their current form but also because there’s no guarantee how the players will react to yet more upheaval and uncertainty.

Athletic Preview – Can Athletic leapfrog their opponents and move closer to a European qualification spot?

A top four finish is always likely to be beyond Athletic Club due to the finances of the teams they would be competing with so a top six finish and qualification for Europe, along with a good run in the Copa Del Rey are the priorities at the beginning of the season. They currently sit six points behind Villareal who occupy the final Europa League spot as it stands.

Athletic can qualify for Europe via the cup, however, as they prepare to face arch rivals Real Sociedad in the final once the league season is complete. There’s essentially no better way for the club to end the campaign should they win the Copa Del Rey.

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Athletic’s form since the resumption has been steady without being spectacular. Two wins and two draws from their first five matches in three months is probably what you would expect. Their only defeat coming away to Barcelona last midweek.

This is another tough fixture for them with challenging games coming up after it, too. Athletic will face Real Madrid and Sevilla (both at home) in their immediate fixtures after this. Should they still be in contention for a top fix finish after that run of games then they will have done very well.

 

It’s very difficult to predict how Valencia do react to the sacking of Celades with these games coming thick and fast. Athletic’s away form is not great (one win in their last nine) and they also don’t have a good record at the Mestalla but they are worth chancing on this occasion due to how well they have come back since the break and because of all the turmoil at Valencia.