Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the visitors face another Basque derby.
by Daniel Garcia
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Preview
For the third matchday running in La Liga, Athletic Club are in Basque derby action and they are back in that familiar 14:00 TV slot. They travel to Vitoria this Sunday to take on an Alaves side that will be out to emulate the achievements of Real Sociedad and Osasuna, and get the better of Gaizka Garitano’s side.
Alaves head into this game struggling for much in the way of consistency. They were beaten at Mallorca last weekend but had won 2 out of 4 prior to that to just ease themselves away from the relegation battle. They’ve had another pretty solid season at home with 5 wins and only 3 defeats so far this term at Mendizorrotza in La Liga.
Athletic Club right now do not look like a team that is going to be capable of putting a serious dent in that record. Despite their fine Copa del Rey run, their league results have really taken a turn for the worse. Their last 3 matches have all ended in defeat and they are without a win in 9 league matches, the worst record in the division by some distance. Another defeat here and their hopes of qualifying for Europe via the league would be as good as over.
It’ll be interesting to see how Athletic’s recent change to a back three works in this game against Alaves’ strike-duo of Lucas Perez and Joselu who are both having terrific seasons. Alaves did some cracking business by snapping them both up for a combined fee of less than €5m in the summer. At the other end, Iker Muniain will be hoping to forge an opening for Athletic on his return from suspension.
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-0 Alaves
Athletic are in really poor form and they’ve only won once away all season in La Liga. The way they are playing, it’s hard to fancy them here against an Alaves side that have only let in 0.75 goals per game on average at home this term in the Spanish top flight. Their extra firepower might just see them nick what should be a tight game.
La Liga Betting Tips (18+)
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Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Alaves Wins, 2 Athletic Wins, 2 Draws.
- Athletic won the reverse fixture 2-0 at San Mames.
- They’ve only scored 1 goal in total across their last 4 visits to this ground though.
- Alaves have won 2 of the last 3 meetings in Vitoria but this fixture ended goalless last term.
Predicted Line Ups
Alaves Team:
Pacheco – Duarte, Magallan, Laguardia, Ximo – Burke, Camarasa, Fejsa, Vidal – Lucas Perez, Joselu (4-4-2)
Athletic Team:
Simon – Nunez, Martinez, Yeray – Yuri, Vesga, Dani Garcia, Capa – Muniain, Raul Garcia – Williams (3-4-2-1)
Check out all our weekend La Liga match previews and predictions here!
Elsewhere this Sunday in La Liga
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