MATCH OVERVIEW
Athletic Bilbao welcomes Deportivo Alavés to San Mamés Stadium in a pivotal La Liga fixture. With the season drawing to a close, every point is crucial for both teams. Athletic Bilbao, known for their robust home performances, will aim to capitalize on their home advantage. Meanwhile, Deportivo Alavés will be eager to upset the hosts and climb the league table.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds favor Athletic Bilbao with a 1.68 chance of winning, translating to a probability of approximately 59.5%. A draw is priced at 3.8, indicating a 26.3% chance, while Deportivo Alavés is given a 5.8 chance, equating to a 17.2% probability of victory. The odds suggest a likely win for Athletic Bilbao, but the possibility of a draw cannot be discounted.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Athletic Bilbao
- Current Form: Athletic Bilbao has shown consistency, with a solid average of 1.52 goals per match.
- Strengths: Strong defensive record, conceding only 0.79 goals per game.
- Weaknesses: Possession is relatively low at 48.55%, which could be exploited by Alavés.
- Head-to-Head: Historically, Athletic Bilbao has had the upper hand in this fixture.
Deportivo Alavés
- Current Form: Averaging 1.06 goals per match, Alavés has struggled offensively.
- Strengths: Effective in duels, with a high success rate.
- Weaknesses: Defensive vulnerabilities, conceding 1.39 goals per game.
- Head-to-Head: Alavés has found it challenging to secure wins against Bilbao.
KEY PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT
Athletic Bilbao
- Oihan Sancet: Top scorer with 15 goals, crucial for Bilbao's attacking prowess.
- Iñaki Williams: Known for his speed and ability to break defenses.
Deportivo Alavés
- Kike García: Leading scorer with 12 goals, vital for Alavés' offensive strategy.
- Nahuel Tenaglia: Key in defense, tasked with stopping Bilbao's forwards.
STATISTICAL DEEP DIVE
- Offensive Metrics: Bilbao averages 11.97 shots per game, with 4.36 on target.
- Defensive Metrics: Alavés averages 5.73 clearances per match, indicating defensive pressure.
- Possession: Bilbao's possession at 48.55% suggests a balanced approach.
PREDICTION AND CONCLUSION
Athletic Bilbao is expected to leverage their home advantage and superior form to secure a win. Key factors include their strong defensive record and the attacking threat posed by Oihan Sancet. Deportivo Alavés will need to improve their offensive output to challenge Bilbao effectively. Final score prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Deportivo Alavés.