Valverde: "This has all the ingredients to be a good match"

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde believes the Lions' match against Real Betis at San Mames (21:00 CET) has all the necessary elements to be an exciting fixture.

Both sides are level on 18 points in the standings, while Athletic in sixth are just one place above Betis.

"This match has all the ingredients to make it a good one," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference.

"Betis are a team to be very careful of. They start games very well and we'll have to be on our guard.

"They're a big opponent, with great players, a great coach, a continued presence in Europe and they've achieved a certain consistency in the way they work. It will be a very difficult match."

San Mamés will once again be decisive as Athletic look to extend their current unbeaten run in LaLiga to three matches.

Valverde said: "Our intention is to be strong at home and at the moment we do have the impression we're a difficult team to beat. We always want to maintain that identity at home."

The Zurigorri coach sent a message of support to all those affected by the recent storms and floodings.

"My thoughts are with the people in Valencia suffering from this terrible disaster," he added.

"These things put us in our place. Some things are much more important than football and we want to send all our support from here."