Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Basque derby at the Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasleiz as an entertaining Deportivo Alaves take on an out of form Athletic Club side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Battling Alaves
Ever since the appointment of former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores, Deportivo Alaves have been entertaining to watch in recent weeks as they battle against the bottom three and the relegation places in La Liga.
The hosts come into this one on the back of a come-from-behind 2-1 defeat of Real Mallorca in their most recent outing, courtesy of a second-half brace scored by striker Toni Martinez.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Frustrated Basque giants
Ahead of departing San Mames this summer, Ernesto Valverde and his Athletic Club side are drifting towards the end of the campaign with a very average run of form to end a very average season.
The Basque outfit most recently succumbed to a dramatic 3-2 loss to an out of form and distracted Atletico Madrid side at the Metropolitano in the Spanish capital city last weekend.
Alaves team news: Lucas Boye a doubt
Alaves are dealing with a key doubt in the final third for this weekend as former Reading striker Lucas Boye is now potentially unavailable for the home team.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera; Angel Perez, Jonny, Tenaglia, Vitor Parada; Carles Alena, Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Blanco, Rebbach; Toni Martinez, Mariano
Unavailable: Garces (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Portesoni (Injured), Lucas Boye (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Nothing new
Athletic have more or less a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s local derby, with midfielder Benat Prados working his way back to fitness after a long-term injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Benat Prados (Injured)
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
That means the Basque giants have now suffered three defeats in their last four matches as they sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table. Alaves have been good and fun to watch throughout the last couple of months and, as they push themselves away from the danger zone, siding with Alaves would appear the way to go for this one on Saturday evening.
Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance - Alaves to win or draw
