Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
We have a Basque derby taking place at the Mendizorozza with Deportivo Alaves, under new management, taking place of an impressive Athletic Club side this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 15th December, 2024: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Alaves Preview: Alaves’ bizarre decision
Deportivo Alaves finished in the top-half of La Liga last season after gaining promotion in the summer of 2023 but Luis Garcia Plaza was constantly rumoured to be on the verge of the sack and he has now been sacked as they struggle in the opening few months of this campaign.
He has been replaced by former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet. The Basque side sit outside of the bottom three and the relegation places after beginning the Eduardo Coudet reign with a 2-2 draw against Osasuna last weekend in which they took the lead in the first minute.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Entertaining Athletic
Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has Athletic Club sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots in La Liga with the Basque giants’ priority this season perhaps being the UEFA Europa League with the final taking place at San Mames in May.
In La Liga, though, they have been extremely impressive. They backed up a 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid at San Mames about ten days ago by defeating Villarreal by two goals to nil thanks to strikes from Aitor Paredes in the first-half and then Inaki Williams in the second-half.
Alaves Team News: No new issues
Alaves have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend’s clash against Athletic Club. They will therefore be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one with Carlos Benavidez an injury doubt due to a hamstring issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Santiago Mourino, Diarra; Carlos Vicente, Joan Jordan, Antonio Blanco, Carlos Martin; Jon Guridi; Kike Perez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Choice of ‘keeper
Spain’s number one Unai Simon has been injured for the vast majority of the campaign due to a wrist injury. He has returned to full fitness with Ernesto Valverde currently changing between him and Julen Aggirezabala, who recently saved a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
Nico Williams went off early in Wednesday's Europa League tie and is a major doubt for this one.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Ander Herrera (Injured)
Questionable: Nico Williams (Injured)
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Deportivo Alaves have made one of the more bizarre decisions in terms of a managerial sacking with the dismissal of Luis Garcia Plaza. However, the appointment of Eduardo Coudet would suggest a more attacking style of football needed. They now face an Athletic side that have an abundance of attacking talent that can hurt anyone at the moment so both teams scoring, albeit with the visitors still favourites, would appear a good bet for this one.
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Athletic Club to win & both teams to score
