San Mames will host a LaLiga showdown this Sunday as Athletic Bilbao welcome Deportivo Alaves for a 17:30 kick-off. With European qualification firmly in their sights, fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao aim to consolidate their position, while Alaves, precariously sitting 17th, are desperate to steer clear of the relegation zone. Both sides come into this fixture off the back of draws, making this encounter crucial for their contrasting ambitions. Athletic’s impressive home form, with just one defeat all season, sets the stage, while Alaves’ struggles on the road—managing only three wins in 17 away matches—highlight the scale of their challenge.
The historical record heavily favours the hosts, particularly at San Mames, where Athletic are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Alaves. Six victories in their previous 11 encounters underline Bilbao’s dominance, with 2-0 emerging as the most common scoreline. Alaves’ last away win against Athletic dates back to 2005, further compounding their task. Given Bilbao’s strong record when leading at home, the visitors face a daunting evening.
On the pitch, Oihan Sancet will be pivotal for Athletic Bilbao, having netted 15 goals this season. His ability to exploit Alaves’ defensive frailties, reflected in their -11 goal difference, could prove decisive. For Alaves, Kike Garcia and Carlos Vicente must rise to the occasion if they are to end their winless streak at San Mames. With Bilbao averaging 1.83 goals per home game compared to Alaves’ 1.19 on the road, the hosts’ attacking firepower could well tip the balance.
Athletic Bilbao - CD Alaves Key Facts
Athletic Bilbao have demonstrated a remarkable home record against CD Alaves, securing victories in 11 out of their last 15 encounters at home. This dominance is further emphasized by a goal difference of 25-6, suggesting a strong likelihood of success for those favoring the home side.
Additionally, Athletic Bilbao have maintained an unbeaten streak against CD Alaves in their last 9 home meetings. This consistent performance indicates that a bet on Athletic Bilbao to win or draw could be considered a safe option.
Furthermore, CD Alaves have struggled offensively, failing to score in 4 of their last 17 away matches in La Liga. This statistic highlights the potential value in betting on Athletic Bilbao to keep a clean sheet during their upcoming match.
Athletic Bilbao vs CD Alaves Betting Predictions
Primary bet: Home Win @ 4/5
Athletic Bilbao’s impressive home record against Deportivo Alaves makes the home win a compelling choice. Bilbao have triumphed in 11 of their last 15 home meetings with Alaves and remain unbeaten in their last nine such fixtures. This season, they have been formidable at home, registering 10 wins, 6 draws, and just 1 loss, underlining their dominance on their own pitch. While Alaves have shown resilience with an unbeaten run in their last five away matches, their struggles are evident as they sit 16th in the table, making them vulnerable against a superior side like Bilbao.
Secondary bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 81/50
The secondary bet of over 2.5 goals is supported by Bilbao’s attacking prowess, with the team averaging 1.83 goals per home match this season. Although the historical average for goals in this fixture is 1.6, Bilbao’s knack for scoring in crucial moments—24% of their goals come between the 31st and 45th minutes—suggests this match could defy past trends. Furthermore, last season’s 2-0 victories for Bilbao over Alaves hint at the potential for multiple goals, especially given Alaves’s inconsistency in front of goal, failing to score in 4 of their 17 away fixtures.
