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La Liga | Gameweek 8
Oct 1, 2021 at 8pm UK
San Mames
AL

Athletic Bilbao
1 - 0
Alaves

Garcia (44')
Vencedor (38'), Berenguer (40'), Garcia (73')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Navarro (8'), Pina (84')

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Friday's La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Alaves, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Alaves will be looking to build on their shock victory over La Liga champions Atletico Madrid when they continue their 2021-22 campaign away to Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Friday night.

The 19th-placed visitors picked up their first win of the season at home to Atletico last time out, while Athletic will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Valencia at Mestalla.


Match preview

Athletic have won two, drawn four and lost one of their seven league matches this season to collect 10 points, which has left them in 10th spot in the table ahead of the next set of fixtures in Spain's top flight.

The Lions, who finished 10th in La Liga last term, made a strong start to the campaign, but they have only picked up two points from their last three matches, drawing with Atletico and Valencia, in addition to suffering a surprise home defeat to Rayo Vallecano on September 21.

Athletic took the lead at Valencia last weekend through Inigo Martinez, but Marcos Andre levelled for the home side in the 95th minute, with the contest ending in frustration for the Basque outfit.

Marcelino's side would move into sixth position, at least temporarily, if they win on Friday, though, and a record of just four goals conceded in the league this season shows that there is a strong base to build from.

Athletic have not enjoyed their recent meetings with Alaves, though, losing two of the last three contests, while the pair played out a goalless draw in the corresponding clash during the 2020-21 campaign.

Alaves, as mentioned, picked up a shock three points on home soil last weekend, with Victor Laguardia's fourth-minute goal handing them a 1-0 success over the champions Atletico.

A disastrous start to the season had seen Javier Calleja's side lose each of their first five league fixtures to Real Madrid, Mallorca, Valencia, Osasuna and Espanyol, but they should now be in good confidence heading into Friday's clash with their Basque rivals.

Alaves are actually in their sixth straight season at this level of football, but they have ended the last two campaigns in 16th position, and it would not be a surprise to see another relegation battle this term.

El Glorioso would move out of the relegation zone if they manage to pick up another three points on Friday, and a record of just one defeat from their last seven La Liga meetings with Athletic should mean that Calleja's team head into the fixture with a positive mindset despite their position in the table.

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D

Alaves La Liga form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W

Team News

Athletic will again be without the services of Yuri Berchiche, Peru Nolaskoain and Asier Villalibre on Friday through injury, but Yeray Alvarez and Oihan Sancet could potentially be involved in the squad.

Mikel Balenziaga had to be substituted against Valencia last time out but has been declared fit, so it would not be a surprise to see the same starting team sent onto the field for this contest.

Indeed, Inaki Williams is likely to be joined by Raul Garcia in a front two, while Iker Muniain and Alex Berenguer should retain their spots in the wide areas for Marcelino's side.

As for Alaves, Edgar Mendez remains on the sidelines with a knee problem, but Florian Lejeune and Pere Pons could recover from muscular issues to make the squad on Friday.

Head coach Calleja will have been delighted with his team's performance against Atletico last time out, and it would be a shock if he changed the 3-4-3 formation that caused the champions problems.

Joselu and Facundo Pellistri are both pushing for starting spots, but Mamadou Sylla should again get the nod at the tip of the attack, while Miguel de la Fuente is expected to retain his position on the right.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, Vencedor, D Garcia, Muniain; Williams, R Garcia

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Navarro, Miazga, Laguardia; Aguirregabiria, Loum, Moya, Duarte; De La Fuente, Sylla, Rioja


We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Alaves

Alaves - looking to move out of the bottom three - will have been boosted by their shock win over Atletico, but 10th-placed Athletic have been difficult to beat this season, and we are expecting the home side to edge a tight contest at San Mames.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913
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