Real Valladolid vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction 17.03.2023

• Competition: Spain - LaLiga
• Date: Friday, 17th, March 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21.00 CET
• Venue: Estadio Jose Zorrilla (Valladolid)

Real Valladolid football players, the club whose majority owner is the legendary Ronaldo Luiz Nazario da Lima, did not allow their stay in the Segunda Division to last long, so they expressly returned among the strongest teams in the Spanish elite last summer. The comeback season is going in the desired direction for now, as they are currently positioned in a respectable 14th position with 28 collected points from 25 rounds, but Albivioletas fear for survival, because only two points separate them from the danger zone.

Athletic Bilbao, one of the most traditional clubs in the world and in Spain itself, cannot boast of its results from the previous few seasons. The Basque club was hit by an unprecedented drought in recent years, as many as four seasons in a row without participation in Europe. Judging by the current results, there is no end in sight to their crisis. The Lions managed to catch 33 points from 25 rounds, which leaves them sitting in ninth place, five points less than sixth-placed Villarreal, the last position that guarantees exit in Europe.

Real Valladolid vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips: Team2 to Win

Including a friendly match, in early December, Valladolid and Athletic Bilbao will cross their spears for the third time in the current season. The Basques solved both duels in their favor in a routine way, and a much more important victory was the one in the fall, when they convincingly celebrated with 3-0 at their "San Mames".

Real Valladolid, desiring to survive in the elite, has started to raise its form in recent weeks. Namely, defeats against Real Betis (1-2) and Celta Vigo (0-3) are the only two failures of Pacheta's chosen in the last seven league games, where they won 11 points in that period (W3, D2) and again entered in a calm harbor.

Albivioletas, by the way, rely a lot on their home field this season, where they won most of their points, even 20 (out of a total of 28). However, not everything is as good as it seems. Valladolid is the weakest realizer in the current campaign, and 19 goals scored in 25 rounds are the best confirmation of that.

True, we don't remember when Athletic Bilbao played this badly, as it is the case in recent weeks. Including the Copa del Rey, the Basques have tied five games without a triumph, and only one won point (with four defeats suffered) in that period clearly illustrates their crisis, so they are increasingly further from the battle for Europe.

Weak realization is the biggest problem for Athletic Bilbao lately, as they have failed to shake the rival's net for three consecutive games. However, Ernesto Valverde's team will have a chance to fix the realization against Valladolid, who is hiccupping in the back line, conceding a goal in each of the last four league games.

The Basque Lions are hungry and a win is necessary for them this weekend in order to regain much-needed confidence. One should not expect an overly efficient game here, given that Bilbao is playing low-scoring matches often lately. However, Valverde's team should prove its worth and reach the long-awaited three points.