This Saturday, San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao will host a match between Athletic and Alaves in the 4th round of the Spanish championship. Here’s a prediction for this matchup.
Match Preview
Athletic has a strong home record, losing only once in their last 18 La Liga matches at San Mamés. Despite some challenges, including the coach being suspended and missing players, the team continues to show good structure and balance in both offense and defense.
Alaves, led by Eduardo Coudet, has started the season well, with a win against Levante and a draw against Atletico, showcasing their competitive spirit. However, their performance on the road has been shaky, highlighted by a loss to Betis.
Alaves struggles defensively, letting in goals in 20 of their last 22 away matches. They also have difficulty converting chances, scoring only once in their last seven encounters with Athletic.
Probable Lineups
- Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Berchiche, Vivian, Areso, Paredes, Prados, Jauregizar, Sancet, Guruzeta, Berenguer, I. Williams
- Alaves: Sivera, Garces, Jony, Tenaglia, Diarra, Blanco, Guridi, Ibanez, Alena, Martinez, Vicente
Match Facts and Head-to-Head
- Athletic is unbeaten in 17 of their last 18 home La Liga matches.
- In the last 7 La Liga encounters, Alaves has scored only once against Athletic.
- Athletic has won their last 3 home matches against Alaves without conceding a goal.
Prediction
Considering Athletic’s strong form and Alaves’ struggles away, the hosts are favored to win this Basque derby. Athletic consistently earns points at home and effectively mitigates their opponents’ attacking options.