Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves on and what time does it start? Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves will take place on Saturday 16th March, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves on in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Unusually for an Ernesto Valverde-coached side, Athletic Club have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch from a neutral perspective in La Liga this season. The Basque side are in the final of the Copa del Rey and challenging for a top four spot in the UEFA Champions League, too, with their 28 matches consisting of 74 goals so far this season.
They come into this one on the back of bouncing back from being held to a goalless draw by Barcelona at San Mames by defeating Las Palmas by two goals to nil in the Canary Islands. Gorka Guruzeta opened the scoring for Athletic in the 31st minute before Las Palmas defender Saul Coco scored an own goal mid-way through the second-half.
ALAVES
At the turn of the year, there were some growing rumours and suggestions that Luis Garcia Plaza was going to be sacked and replaced up at Mendizarozza. However, the Basque club then went and propelled themselves into the middle-of-the-table with three successive victories before drifting once again back down the table in February.
However, they now come into this one on the back of a much-needed 1-0 defeat of an improving Rayo Vallecano side in their most recent outing, last weekend. In that game, right-back Andoni Gorosabel scored the only goal of the game in the 44th minute of the match. That leaves them well clear of the bottom three and the relegation places.
THE TEAM NEWS
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Aitor Paredes is missing through suspension for this weekend and they also have two key injury issues with both Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera missing.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; de Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Garcia de Albeniz; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Paredes (Suspended), Berchiche (Injured), Herrera (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ALAVES
Last week’s match winner Andoni Gorosabel is out injured for this weekend, as well as the long-term absentee of defender Aleksandar Sedlar.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Duarte, Abqar, Marin, Lopez; Blanco, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Rioja; Samu
UNAVAILABLE: Gorosabel (Injured), Sedlar (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This one is a Basque derby so there should be an expectation that Deportivo Alaves are fierce and competitive at San Mames but it is expected to be a fairly one-sided affair. Atletico lost to Cadiz last weekend and also face Barcelona this week so there is a golden opportunity for Athletic to squeeze themselves past Los Rojiblancos and into the top four. A comfortable home win is to be expected in this one on Saturday evening.
TIP: ATHLETIC TO WIN
