Alavés Vs Athletic Club

Athletic Bilbao is gearing up for an exciting La Liga clash against their Basque rivals Alaves this Sunday afternoon, with the aim of extending their impressive winning streak to seven games across all competitions. The team, under the stewardship of Ernesto Valverde, has been in exceptional form and currently sits in fourth place in the La Liga standings, just six points behind league leaders Barcelona. This position is a testament to their consistent performances this season. In contrast, Alaves finds themselves in a more precarious situation, positioned 16th in the table with a tally of 15 points from their first 16 matches, leaving them only two points above the relegation zone.

In their most recent outing, Alaves played out a 2-2 draw with Osasuna in what marked the beginning of Eduardo Coudet's tenure as the club's head coach. Coudet, who was appointed in early December, was overseeing his first league match for the club. Despite a promising start, with Alaves taking the lead just 40 seconds into the game, the match proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the team. After falling behind 2-1, it was Kike Garcia's second goal of the game in the 68th minute that salvaged a point for the struggling Basque side. While the draw was a welcome relief for Alaves, it also highlighted the team's ongoing difficulties this season, particularly in terms of securing consistent victories.

Alaves' form in La Liga has been far from stellar, as they have not tasted victory since the beginning of November. Their inability to string together a series of positive results has left them vulnerable, dropping to 16th in the standings. With a record of four wins, three draws, and nine losses, the club has accumulated a mere 15 points, which puts them in a precarious position, only two points above the relegation zone. This is a sharp contrast to their performance in the previous season, where they finished a comfortable 10th in the league. However, their struggles this term suggest that they may be embroiled in a relegation battle as the season progresses.

The upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao is likely to be a tough challenge for Alaves, especially considering their recent history against the Lions. Athletic has dominated their Basque rivals in their last five encounters, remaining unbeaten and winning each of the last two league meetings with a 2-0 scoreline. This dominance has left Alaves with little room for optimism ahead of the fixture, as they have failed to find success against their local rivals in recent years.

On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao's form is nothing short of exceptional. Under Valverde's guidance, the team has remained unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions, securing nine victories and drawing three. Their current six-match winning streak further exemplifies their strong momentum, and they will be eager to keep that run going when they face Alaves. Athletic's recent successes include crucial wins over Real Madrid and Villarreal in La Liga, both of which were statement victories that reaffirmed their status as one of the top teams in Spain. With 32 points from 17 matches, they currently sit in fourth place in the league, just six points behind Barcelona, which places them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Athletic's solid form is not limited to domestic competitions, as they have also impressed on the European stage. In their most recent Europa League fixture, they triumphed 2-0 over Fenerbahce in Turkey, a result that left them in second place in their group with 16 points. This European success is significant as it further bolsters the team's confidence and morale heading into their La Liga fixtures. With a strong campaign underway both domestically and in Europe, Athletic Bilbao will be hoping to continue their excellent form and possibly challenge for the title as the year draws to a close.

As the calendar year winds down, Athletic Bilbao's schedule includes two vital matches against Alaves and Osasuna. If they can secure victories in both, it would leave them in a strong position to challenge for the title as 2025 approaches, a feat that would undoubtedly be a remarkable achievement for the club. However, despite their impressive run, Athletic's away form in La Liga has been somewhat inconsistent. While they have been dominant at home, they have only managed to accumulate 11 points from their seven away matches, which includes three wins. This inconsistency on the road could be a potential obstacle to their ambitions, and they will need to improve their performances away from home if they are to maintain their place in the upper echelons of the table.

In conclusion, this Basque derby promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Athletic Bilbao in red-hot form, looking to continue their winning streak and keep their title hopes alive. On the other hand, Alaves will be hoping to turn their season around after a disappointing start and give their fans something to cheer about. With the two teams occupying very different positions in the table, the stakes are high for both sides, and this clash is sure to be a thrilling contest full of passion and rivalry.