Derbytime – Bilbao are considered clear favourites
This weekend, football fans will get their money’s worth once again before the second international break of the season is on the agenda. In Spain, the eighth matchday will open with a derby. On Friday evening, the two Basque football clubs Athletic Bilbao and Deportivo Alaves will face each other at 9 pm in the San Mames Stadium
For many years Athletic Bilbao was the number one in the Basque Country, a role most recently held by Real Sociedad de San Sebastian. Compared to Alaves, however, the red and whites from Bilbao are still rated much higher. This is also reflected in the betting odds offered in the direct duel between Athletic Bilbao and Alaves. For a home win, the odds are around 1.60, while a surprise win for the visitors will attract more than six times the stake.
After seven matchdays, a first interim conclusion can be drawn and it can be seen that Bilbao is once again establishing itself in the midfield of the league. The visitors from Alaves conceded six defeats in a row before sensationally defeating the champions on the last matchday. However, this does not change the outsider’s role in the Basque derby.
Spain Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
For a staggering 83 years Athletic Bilbao have played continuously in the Spanish football top flight. The fact that only Basques are allowed to play for Bilbao makes this proud streak even more impressive. For many years, Bilbao was also a candidate for international business. In recent years, however, the team has developed more towards a staid mid-table finish. In three of the last four seasons, Bilbao finished the season in double figures in the table.
Late season frustration
In their first seven league games this season, Bilbao have conceded just one defeat, but that has been matched by just two wins. No fewer than four games have ended in a draw and ensure that the club is treading water a little.
Most recently, the Basques have struggled with injury time, as head coach Marcelino’s (formerly of Villarreal and Valencia) side conceded twice deep into injury time. In the home match against Rayo Vallecano, veteran Radamel Falcao scored the winner for the Madrilenians in the 96th minute. Last weekend, Bilbao gave away two points in the 95th minute. Against the bats from Valencia, Bilbao conceded the bitter equaliser in overtime.
Inaki Williams on the verge of a historic record
After these two setbacks, a win in the derby is of enormous importance in order to be able to establish themselves in the first half of the table. Although it was the only defeat at the San Mames Stadium so far, the home strength is definitely an argument that speaks for the prediction of a home victory in the duel Athletic Bilbao against Alaves. Last season, the Basques celebrated eight of their eleven victories at home.
Definitely, attacker Inaki Williams will have reason to celebrate. The 27-year-old will then achieve a historic record. Since matchday 34 of the 2015/16 season, Williams has not missed a single LaLiga game. He has not been suspended or injured and will make his 203rd consecutive appearance for the Basques on Friday.
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Balenziaga, Martinez, Vivian, Lekue – Berenguer, Garcia, Vencedor, Muniain – Williams, Garcia
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
Spain Alaves – Statistics & current form
This is now Alaves’ sixth consecutive year playing in the Spanish LaLiga. After a very strong promotion year (ninth place), the relegation battle has been the dominant theme for the blue and whites in recent years. In each of the two most recent seasons, Alaves finished 16th in the table.
Alaves still without a goal away from home
The first few weeks of the young season have already indicated that the battle to stay in the league will once again be the defining element this season. Compared to their rivals, Alaves still have a game of catch-up to play, but they have lost just as many of their first five league games.
That made last weekend’s result all the more surprising, when Calleja’s eleven took champions Atletico Madrid by complete surprise with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from captain and defensive boss Victor Laguardia.
In total, it was only the second goal of the season for the Basques. In the two away games so far, Alaves were not only without points but also without goals In the Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Alaves, a prediction that both teams will not score is certainly a good option
Predicted line-up of Alaves:
Pacheco – Duarte, Navarro, Laguardia, Miazga, Aguirragabiria – Rioja, Loum, Moya, de la Fuente – Sylla
Last matches played by Alaves:
Athletic Bilbao – Alaves Direct comparison / H2H record
The Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Alaves has been played 32 times in the Spanish top flight. In the direct comparison, the team from Bilbao has a very clear lead with 20 victories and only six defeats. The figures are even clearer at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, where the Red and Whites have lost only one match (2005/06 season).
Not much spectacle is to be expected in this derby, however, as in ten of the last twelve league matches between Athletic Bilbao and Alaves the bet on under 2.5 goals was crowned with success.
Spain Athletic Bilbao – Alaves Spain betting tips
After many setbacks, Alaves finally managed to cheer again last weekend. Nevertheless, the Calleja eleven is considered a clear underdog in the Basque derby. Not only the available quality in the squad, but also Bilbao’s home strength and Alaves’ weak away performances (only three away wins last year) speak in favour of the home side. The betting on the home side in the Athletic Bilbao vs. Alaves clash is rounded off by the clear direct comparison.
The odds for a home win are not particularly lucrative, however, so alternative betting options must be considered. Alaves are only lukewarm offensively, so Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves could also be a good bet for attractive odds on the home side to win nil.
An even better option is the half-time/finish bet. Bilbao scored no less than eight goals in the first 15 minutes of last year’s home games. This makes the Basques a real “fast starter” and an early decision in the derby would not be a big surprise. A moderate four units will be used as a stake for this.
