Matchday 17 of La Liga will see Alaves take on Athletic on December 15 at the Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Alaves vs. Athletic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
Matches – 10 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 56;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 60%.
Predicted lineups for Alaves vs. Athletic
Alaves (4-3-3): Antonio Sivera – Nahuel Tenaglia, Santiago Mourino, Moussa Diarra, Abdel Abqar – Antonio Blanco, Joan Jordan, Jon Guridi – Carlos Martin, Carlos Vicente, Kike Garcia.
Athletic (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala – Yuri Berchiche, Benat Prados, Aitor Paredes, Daniel Vivian – Oscar De Marcos, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet – Gorka Guruzeta.
The starting lineup for each team in their previous match in this tournament is indicated.
Alaves
The Basques are winless in four consecutive La Liga matches. The team suffered away defeats to Villarreal (0-3) and Atletico (1-2), then drew at home with Leganes (1-1) and away with Osasuna (2-2). It's worth noting that under Eduardo Coudet, who took over on December 3, they have won just one of their last 10 league matches (2 draws and 7 losses). As a result, the team has dropped to 16th place, just two points above the nearest relegation rival.
- At least two goals have been scored in 12 of Alaves' last 14 La Liga games.
- In their last 11 home matches in La Liga, the club has only lost once in the second half (5 wins and 5 draws).
- In their last 11 home games, the Basques have been unbeaten 9 times (6 wins and 3 draws).
Athletic
The other Basque club is unbeaten in the league for eight matches, with five wins and three draws. In the last four rounds, they have only won, defeating strong opponents. At home, Ernesto Valverde's side beat Real Sociedad (1-0), Real Madrid (2-1), and Villarreal (2-0), and away, they overcame Rayo Vallecano (2-1). This winning streak has propelled Athletic to a high fourth place, reducing their gap from leaders Barcelona to just 6 points.
- Both teams have scored in 8 of the Basques' last 11 La Liga games.
- Athletic has not lost in the second half of eight consecutive La Liga matches (3 wins and 5 draws).
- The club has not won the first half in five consecutive away league matches (4 draws and 1 loss).
Alaves vs. Athletic: Match Prediction
Since September, the club from Bilbao has suffered only one league defeat, with 8 wins and 4 draws. Until February, they will play four La Liga matches against weaker opponents, where they can potentially secure maximum points, bringing them closer to the top spot. I am confident Athletic will seize this opportunity, so I suggest a handicap on the visitors.
I won't risk taking a straightforward win for Athletic, as they are not as strong away as they are at home and rarely win two consecutive away matches in La Liga. However, Alaves is a home-oriented team and can take points from the opponent. Note that the club from Bilbao has not lost or conceded against Alaves in five consecutive league meetings, winning three and drawing two. My prediction: Athletic with a handicap (0)
