Athletic Bilbao vs FC Porto preview - Valverde ready to exploit pressure

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde believes the pressure to win will prove to be a positive as his side look to keep alive their Champions League campaign with victory over Porto on Wednesday.

The Basque outfit have picked up only one point from their first three Group H matches and Valverde acknowledges that a third defeat on Wednesday would be unthinkable.

The 50-year-old does, however, feel their predicament could count in their favour.

"We have to play with the greatest desire, but see that not as a handicap but a positive," he was quoted as saying at his pre-match press conference.

"When you have a points advantage you can try to calculate things, but (our situation) simplifies everything down and means we do not look at anything else - our only choice is to win all three games.

"Everything can happen if we win all three remaining games."

Athletic head into the game buoyed by Sunday's impressive 1-0 home triumph over Sevilla - a second straight Primera Division win lifting Valverde's side to 11th in the standings.

"We must return to the right mental state after playing a very intense game with Sevilla. We are aware that we need to win to still have options," the coach added.

"The effect of San Mames is important. The support of the home fans gives us so much. The crowd pushes us, but does not play. We have to be better than Porto."

Valverde revealed forward Guillermo Fernandez would be available for the game, with late decisions to be made on midfield trio Oscar de Marcos, Iker Muniain, Ager Aketxe after final training.

Midfielder Evandro and goalkeeper Ricardo Nunes were included in the Porto squad for the trip to the Basque Country, the duo joining the 18-man group named for Saturday's 2-0 home win over Nacional in the Primeira Liga.

The Portuguese side travelled to San Mames top of the pool on seven points, and perhaps with a psychological edge having won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao a fortnight ago.

However, Porto coach Julen Lopetegui was taking nothing for granted at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"We just know we have to play a great game against a great team," said Lopetegui, whose team have won their last three league games and sit second in the table behind Benfica

"We do not think about what could happen. All games start 0-0 and each game has its own story. No external factor will make us win this game. The result depends on what we do."

He added: "Athletic have improved since the game at at the Estadio do Dragao. The will be a strong and competitive team.

"We're in a tough, difficult and balanced group, and we have to do things very well to advance."