Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Basque derby taking place at San Mames here as Athletic Club continue to lick their wounds against relegation-battling Deportivo Alaves in Bilbao this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 11th May, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Disappointment in Bilbao
Athletic Club were dominated by Manchester United in the first-leg but the Basque giants showed some more fight in the second-leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. However, they once again collapsed to suffer a 7-1 aggregate loss to the Red Devils.
Ernesto Valverde has done a generally excellent job in charge of Athletic but there will be a hint of frustrating and disappointment that their season is all but over and it all feels flat, despite the fact they have all but ensured UEFA Champions League qualification this season.
Alaves Preview: Fighting Alaves
Last season, Deportivo Alaves finished in the top-half of La Liga following their promotion to the top-flight and the Basque side were once again looking safe in the first-half of the season but they took the bizarre decision to part company with manager Luis Garcia Plaza.
He was replaced by former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet and things only got worse. However, they have improved a bit of late with their goalless draw at home to Atletico Madrid last weekend meaning that they now suffered just two defeats in their last nine matches.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Several absentees
Athletic have several absentees for this week with key men Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Inaki Williams, who missed the second-leg against United, all injured, whilst both Andoni Gorosabel and Alex Berenguer are missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Yeray, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue; Mikel Vesga, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Alvaro Djalo, Unai Gomez, Sannadi; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Andoni Gorosabel (Suspended), Alex Berenguer (Suspended), Oihan Sancet (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured), Inaki Williams (Injured)
Questionable: Oscar de Marcos (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured)
Alaves Team News: Nothing fresh
Ahead of the trip to the San Mames, Alaves have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend. The visitors will remain without Moroccan centre-back Abdel Abqar due to a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Sedlar, Santiago Mourino, Manu Sanchez; Antonio Blanco, Ander Guevara; Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Carles Alena; Kike
Unavailable: Abqar (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Prediction
The stereotype of Basque football is often quite defensive and almost English-like. That can often lead to low-scoring encounters and, in their fight, that appears the preference of Alaves, whilst Athletic have a lot of absentees and their performance level has dipped for a couple of months now. As a result, especially given the form of the two sides, siding with the visitors would appear to be a good value bet for this one at the San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Tip: Double chance – Alaves to win or draw
