Athletic Club and Alavés clash in one of four La Liga fixtures on Saturday. San Mamés is the setting for this Basque derby, with the visitors hoping to bounce back from successive defeats.

Athletic Club to go strong after midweek postponement

After a slow start, Athletic Club are beginning to implement the ideas of their new coach Edin Terzić. He was set to make changes for Wednesday’s trip to Levante, with both Williams brothers left on the bench, but the game was postponed close to kick-off due to heavy rain.

A different lineup is likely this weekend, with little reason for Terzić to rotate. Yeray Álvarez should start at centre-back, but the hosts will still need to cope without the injured duo of Unai Egiluz and Dani Vivian.

Oihan Sancet will have a key role to play in the final third. The attacking midfielder impressed with a goal and three shots in Athletic’s excellent 3-0 victory over Atlético Madrid earlier this month.

Athletic Club predicted lineup vs Alavés (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Yeray, Laporte, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Gerenabarrena; Navarro, Sancet, N. Williams; I. Williams.

Competition up front for Alavés as Mariano targets recall

Alavés suffered a surprise 1-0 home defeat against Valencia in midweek. That result raises the prospect of Mariano Díaz returning in attack this weekend. He has registered three goals and three assists in six appearances already this term.

The 33-year-old’s sudden good form was unexpected, given he failed to register a single contribution last season. He may edge out Toni Martínez on Saturday, with Lucas Boyé’s four-goal return likely to be enough to secure his place in the visiting attack.

It has been a bad month on the injury front for the Vitoria-based club, with both Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez suffering long-term ACL injuries. Aitor Mañas is an additional fitness doubt.

Alavés predicted lineup vs Athletic Club (3-5-2): Sivera; Tenaglia, Koski, Jonny; Á. Pérez, Blanco, Ibáñez, D. Suárez, Rebbach; Mariano, Boyé.

Athletic Club vs Alavés Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Under 3.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.27 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Athletic Club 1-0 Alavés
  • 22Bet Booking Code: ADRG8

Key stats:

  • All of the past five competitive meetings between the clubs in Bilbao have produced two or fewer goals.
  • Five of Alavés’ six outings this term have ended with three or fewer goals.
  • There have been two goals or fewer in four of Athletic’s six most recent home fixtures in La Liga.

Alavés’ strikers impressed in the opening games, but the Babazorros hit the target with only three of their 14 shots on Tuesday, failing to score. They are expected to use more conservative tactics for this tough trip across the Basque Country.

Including friendlies, three of the last four encounters between Athletic Club and Alavés have served up just one goal. With Los Leones still lacking a convincing number nine, backing under 3.5 goals is a safe pick.

Athletic Club vs Alavés Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Alavés to score under 0.5 goals
  • Odds: 2.14 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 7HVG8

Alavés have scored just once across their past five competitive trips to Bilbao. That poor record on this ground makes them a value pick to fail to net in this match.

Athletic Club ought to be fresh after their last game was called off. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue for a backline that has already shut out two of last season’s top six clubs.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals (1.27) — Athletic Club 1-0 Alavés