Athletic Club vs Alaves Match Preview & Predictions

Athletic Club vs Alaves match preview and predictions for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups ahead of this Basque derby clash.

Athletic Club vs Alaves Preview

Athletic have the familiar experience of playing a Basque derby this weekend as they welcome struggling Alaves to San Mames in LaLiga. The visitors have made a coaching change this week as they bid to find some late form in their battle to beat the drop.

For Athletic, they will still be on a bit of a downer from defeat in the historic all Basque Copa del Rey Final last weekend. They met Real Sociedad again in midweek, drawing 1-1 in LaLiga. It should have been all three points but a very poor error from Unai Simon gifted La Real an 89th minute leveller.

There isn’t a huge amount riding on the remainder of the league season for Athletic. They are safe in mid-table but 10 points off the European places so it’s possible that Marcelino will decide to rest players here with next weekend’s 2021 Copa del Rey Final in mind. That will be tough up against an in-form Barcelona side but the Basques can at least take confidence from having already defeated the Catalans in Sevilla this season – winning the Supercopa in January.

As for Alaves, they have now sacked two coaches since the turn of the year with Abelardo exiting earlier this week, less than three months after he replaced Marcelino. A return of just one point from seven games has seen Alaves sink to the very foot of the table and their future in the top flight is now in serious doubt heading into the final chunk of the season.

The man chosen to replace Abelardo is former Villarreal boss Javi Calleja. His appointment was something of a surprise given his style of football is perhaps not a natural fit for the players Alaves have at their disposal. He needs to find results fast, otherwise his reign could also be a short-lived one unless Alaves are willing to be patient and allow him to oversee a squad overhaul in the summer.

Head to Head

• Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 1 Athletic Win, 3 Alaves Wins, 2 Draws.
• Alaves have won the last 2 meetings, although both were in Vitoria.
• They won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October.
• However Alaves have only collected one point from their last three league trips to Bilbao.

Team News

Yeray and Yuri Berchiche are both carrying knocks and are unlikely to be risked. Athletic may also rotate in other areas with next weekend’s cup final in mind.

Ruben Duarte is suspended for Alaves who are missing Facundo Pellistri to injury. Under new management, changes are likely both in terms of personnel and system.

Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:

Simon – Balenciaga, Martinez, Nunez, Capa – Morcillo, Vesga, Lopez, Berenguer – Williams, Villalibre (4-4-2)

Predicted Alaves Starting Lineup:

Pacheco – Lopez, Lejeune, Laguardia, Navarro – Pina, Battaglia – Rioja, Jota, Mendez – Joselu (4-2-3-1)

Athletic Club vs Alaves Predictions

LaLiga Expert Predicts: Athletic 1-1 Alaves (follow us on Tipstrr to view our betting tips)

With a new coach at the helm, it’s possible we’ll see something of a reaction from Alaves. They may just be able to grab a point against an Athletic side which will certainly have one eye on next weekend’s Copa del Rey Final.

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