Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao on and what time does it start? Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao will take place on Friday 22nd September, 2023 - 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao on in the UK? Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao in the UK? Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ALAVES
Following promotion last season, Alaves will be expected to battle against relegation throughout the campaign as the Basque side seek to avoid an immediate return to the Segunda. Luis Garcia Plata has his side playing in a fairly stereotypically rough and rugged style as they rely on playing at the Mendizorozza with its hostility and atmosphere.
That home advantage can be seen by their results so far this season with two victories and three defeats in their opening five matches. Their two wins have both been at home in the Basque country whilst all three defeats have come on the road so far. They come into this on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano in their most recent outing, last weekend.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Under the management of former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club endured a frustrating 2022/23 season. They lost in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey to Osasuna before then missing out on a top seven finish and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification to, again, Osasuna. They will be aiming to break back into the European spots this time around.
They have started the season very well and actually begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualification spots. After a 2-0 defeat at home to Real Madrid on the opening day of the campaign, Athletic have managed three victories and a draw in their subsequent four matches.
THE TEAM NEWS
ALAVES
Luis Garcia Plata has more or less a fully fit and available squad with only Giuliano Simeone remaining injured after a horrific leg break in pre-season.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Marin, Duarte; Guevara, Blanco; Sola, Guridi, Rioja; Kike
UNAVAILABLE: Simeone (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Ernesto Valverde will have to deal with an injury to Neco Williams, who is set to miss a few weeks after sustaining an injury on international duty with Spain.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; de Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Ruiz de Galarreta; Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Gurzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Williams (Injured), Nolaskoain (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a Basque derby and, as a result of cliché and stereotype, it is expected to be quite a rough and rugged encounter between two fairly robust sides with limited footballing ability. Whilst that is and would always be harsh, it becomes slightly more realistic with the absence of Nico Williams for Athletic this weekend. It would also, though, be unfair on the visitors to suggest this is two evenly matched sides with the away team the firm favourites for this one, albeit it could well be a low-scoring and hard-fought encounter on Friday evening.
TIP: ATHLETIC TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
