Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Prediction 13.09.2025
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Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Prediction
Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Prediction and Betting Tips for Saturday’s La Liga showdown at San Mames. Ernesto Valverde’s men are flying after three straight wins, while Alaves arrive with four points and plenty of belief. For more detailed insights across Spain’s top flight, check out LaLiga Predictions from XpertStats experts.
- Athletic Bilbao chase a fourth straight win to start their La Liga season.
- Alaves have four points from three games, including a draw with Atletico Madrid.
- San Mames remains a fortress, with Bilbao unbeaten in recent Basque derbies.
- Key absences could test both managers’ depth and tactics.
Athletic’s perfect start hasn’t come by accident. Wins over Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis showed sharpness in attack and resilience at the back, even if they’ve conceded in two of those matches. The club’s Basque-only transfer policy meant a quiet summer window, but holding onto Nico Williams was arguably the biggest victory. His absence this weekend, though, raises a big question: can the Lions maintain their bite without their most electric forward?
Valverde will be juggling more than just league duties soon. With a Champions League opener against Arsenal on Tuesday, squad rotation looms large. Injuries and suspensions could strip Athletic of up to six senior players, forcing the coach to dig deeper into his squad. Still, San Mames has always demanded intensity, and the expectation is clear: keep the winning run alive, no excuses.
Alaves, on the other hand, aren’t arriving just to make up the numbers. Eduardo Coudet’s side started with a win over Levante, stumbled at Betis, then earned a gritty point against Atletico Madrid. Four points from three games is solid progress for a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season. With Toni Martinez and Carlos Vicente already off the mark, they’ve shown they can trouble defenses.
History doesn’t exactly smile on Alaves, though. Just eight wins in 51 attempts against Athletic tells its own story, and last season’s narrow 1-0 defeat at San Mames is fresh in memory. That said, they’ve scored in six of their last eight league trips, so sneaking a goal isn’t out of the question. Bilbao might be the favorites, but derby games have a funny way of throwing up surprises. Even so, the momentum, form, and fortress of San Mames suggest the hosts remain the safer pick in these LaLiga Predictions.
Backing Athletic Bilbao to Win is justified by both history and current form. The Lions have swept aside Sevilla, Rayo, and Betis to maintain a perfect record. Even more telling? They’ve dominated this Basque fixture, winning five of the last seven clashes against Alaves without tasting defeat. True, the absence of Nico Williams is a blow, but Valverde has proven his team can adapt. Alaves, meanwhile, remain inconsistent. They started with a home win against Levante and pinched a draw off Atletico, but their away struggles persist, one clean sheet in their last eight road trips. San Mames is one of the toughest stadiums in Spain, and Athletic’s energy, especially from midfield with Sancet driving forward, usually overwhelms visiting teams. While Alaves may find a way onto the scoresheet, keeping pace for 90 minutes feels unlikely. Bilbao, sharper and more balanced, should edge this.
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