Real Valladolid coach Jose Luis Mendilibar wants his side to feel tension but no fear when playing Athletic Bilbao

Valladolid have lost both matches in front of their own fans so far, going down 4-2 to Valencia and 2-1 to Osasuna, while they also lost 3-0 away to Real Mallorca last weekend, leaving the team with just four points from their opening five matches.

It is hardly the sort of start Valladolid would have been hoping for, especially after their dismal second half to last season when they failed to win any of their final 11 games, and Mendilibar will be desperate to turn things around this weekend against one of his former clubs.

The coach insists preparations for the match have gone well, but he knows it is what happens after kick-off tomorrow that really matters.

Mendilibar said: "It's been a calm week, normal. When results are negative it complicates things a little, but we've trained well, with more desire and involvement. I only hope that we don't have any fear at the start of the game.

"If we have tension, if we have the same intensity and focus, then things will go well for us."

Mendilibar is also hoping to have the supporters behind the team tomorrow, adding: "There are people who support and others who put pressure on me or the players. That is within their right, of course. They don't like what we are doing and they show their discontent.

"For me, I would prefer it if they protested at the end of the game, but I cannot do anything about it.

"The truth is that the fact we've broken the record for season-ticket holders says there is confidence and hope in the team. I'm convinced that we have a team that can play to win on almost any ground."

Mendilibar was in charge of Athletic for 10 games during the 2005-06 season just prior to joining Valladolid, but he is not the only person hoping to do well against his former club this weekend.

Defender Luis Prieto swapped San Mames for the Jose Zorrilla a year ago and he said of tomorrow's encounter: "It will be special, but more than anything because we are playing for a lot.

"I'm looking forward to the match and turning around this poor run of form. This is the time to react, to get out of this situation. The key is to be a unit again, as much in attack as in defence."

Athletic started the season on fire with four successive wins in Primera Liga and Europe, but the Basque giants have hit the skids recently and their 3-1 Europa League defeat to Werder Bremen on Thursday means they have now lost three on the trot.

Coach Joaquin Caparros is anticipating another testing match for his side tomorrow as well, saying: "Valladolid are a new team. They have had a lot of changes and this requires time, but having a coach like Mendilibar, who I have a very high opinion of, I'm sure that they are going to be very competitive."