La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Valladolid

Posted on | March 5, 2008 | No Comments

Here are two teams that are both having a very erratic season. Athletic Bilbao are currently in fifteenth position in the league and are just one point above the drop zone. Valladolid are two places in front of Athletic and have a point more, but the league is far from safe for either. Athletic drew last weekend away to Almeria and were very lucky to get away with a point. Valladolid meanwhile, fell at home to an invigorated Racing de Santander to a lone goal, which prevented them from rising up the table to a more comfortable spot.
Athletic Bilbao at home this season are playing pretty dreadfully. They have only won three matches in front of their home fans while managing to draw seven. To make matters worse neither midfielder Yeste nor striker Etxberria will be on hand to play any part of this encounter, as they both received their fifth yellow card during the Almeria game and as such have to serve a one match ban. Their absences will come as a blow to coach Joaquín Caparrós, who sees this game as one of the most important of the season in their struggle to avoid relegation for the first time in their long history.
Valladolid will also be without some key figures, most notably striker Joseba Llorente. He was also on the receiving end of his fifth yellow card in the Racing game and consequently will not be making an appearance here. The good news for coach José Luis Mendilibar is the reincorporation of defender Alexis for this match after being out injured for the last ten days.
With Athletic’s penchant for drawing games at home Valladolid’s lack of ambition in front of goal, this could quite easily finish either goalless or with one goal apiece. It is unlikely that either side will be relegated this season, simply because there are other teams below them that are playing far worse than themselves. Not a very interesting game to watch for sure, but by going for a draw you just might get something out of it.
Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona
2. La Liga: Athletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
3. La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante
4. La Liga: Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao
5. La Liga: Racing de Santander vs. Athletic Bilbao

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