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Athletic Bilbao vs. Rayo Vallecano
Spanish La Liga will not be all weekend this week as the sixth matchday is played within an English week from Tuesday to Thursday. Looking ahead to Tuesday, Bilbao and Vallecano will clash tomorrow evening. Hosts Athletic Club Bilbao are still unbeaten, with two wins from five games. However, their upcoming opponents Rayo Vallecano are also already in good form in the still young season. As a promoted team, Rayo have been convincing so far and have already collected seven points, which currently puts them in ninth place in the table.
Both teams will enter the encounter in good form, which is why we can look forward to an interesting match. Of course, Bilbao will want to win against a promoted team and add the next three points to their points account. But Vallecano should not be underestimated. Rayo won two out of their last three games and will also want to take at least a point in Bilbao. Find out everything you need to know about this clash in our Bilbao – Vallecano betting tips.
Bilbao vs Vallecano Info
– Date and time: 21/09/2021, 22:00 hrs.
– Venue: Bilbao, San Mamés (53,289 seats)
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 6
– TV coverage: DAZN
Bilbao Form & Balance Check
The Basques showed early on in the season that Athletic Bilbao want to get back into the European Cup. The Basques turned their venerable San Mames into a fortress and remained unbeaten against FC Barcelona. In general, the club from the north of Spain is still undefeated this season. Even though Bilbao had to play the champions Atletico Madrid on the last matchday. But Bilbao also remained unbeaten in the capital with a 0-0 draw. It is above all the defence that makes the difference for the Basques. Bilbao have conceded only one goal in five games. Together with Sevilla, they are currently the best defensive team in the league.
Automatisms are taking effect
Coach Marcelino’s team is a well-rehearsed one. In Bilbao’s game, every player knows what he has to do. One in particular can always be relied upon. Inaki Williams, who was born in Bilbao, has played for the Basques since the beginning of his footballing career. The Spanish international has also set a new record. Williams has been in the starting eleven for 200 league games in a row. In Spain, that’s 5.2 seasons he played in a row. Indescribably valuable. Goals, pace and leadership. Williams brings it all and is indispensable for Bilbao.
Bilbao facts & analysis
– Fifth in the table
– Still undefeated
– Best defence in the league
Vallecano Form & Balance Check
Vallecano’s record so far is really impressive for a promoted team. The team from the Madrid area has collected seven points from five games so far. But especially the last three games are remarkable, because Vallecano had a very bad start to the season. Rayo won two of their last three games after Vallecano had lost their first two games at the beginning of the season. Against Granada, Rayo even won 4:0 and thus celebrated their first victory since being promoted again in the summer. In their last game, they managed the next victory by beating bottom of the table Getafe 3-0.
Falcao football god!
Many football fans were amazed when Colombian world star Radamel Falcao joined Rayo a fortnight ago. In the meantime, the former world star and one of the best strikers of his generation is 35 years old. Falcao lives by his name. But hopefully he hasn’t forgotten how to score goals, as the Colombian scored directly on his debut against Getafe last weekend. With him, Rayo Vallecano get a lot of experience and leadership quality, which they can use well to avoid the relegation fight and to be able to keep the class. And Falcao is not above scoring a goal or two.
Vallecano facts & analysis
– Promoted
– Seventh in the table
– 2 wins from last 3 matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 21 September 2021
Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola is likely to give us the team that won 3-0 against Getafe last weekend. They will be looking to cause problems for the Basque team with renewed confidence and good form. The hosts will play in their usual 4-4-2 system, with which they remained unbeaten against Atletico and Barcelona. They are hard to break down and have a pacy striker in Williams who is unpredictable.
Bilbao – Vallecano direct comparison & statistics
This is the first meeting since 2019 between the two teams. Of the last 10 games against Vallecano, the hosts have won six. Only two defeats were suffered by Bilbao against Rayo. On top of that, there have been two draws. Bilbao also won the last encounter against their upcoming opponents 3:2.
– First duel since 2019
– Bilbao won the last match against each other.
– Vallecano last won in Bilbao eight years ago.
– Bilbao have a clear lead in the last 10 matches.
