Alaves and Athletic Bilbao Clash with European and Survival Hopes on the Line

Key facts

• Alaves are 16th with 36 points, two points above the relegation zone.
• Athletic Bilbao are 10th with 41 points, three points behind sixth-placed Getafe.
• Alaves won the reverse fixture 1-0 at San Mames earlier this season.
• Athletic have lost five of their last seven league matches.
• The match kicks off at 12:30 PM on May 2, 2026.
• Alaves are without Lucas Boye (hamstring) and Facundo Garces (suspension).
• Athletic are missing Benat Prados (cruciate ligament tear) and Carlos Benavidez (muscle injury).

A Basque Derby with Divergent Ambitions

Two Basque rivals meet at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Saturday with contrasting objectives but equal urgency. Alaves, sitting 16th in La Liga, need points to stave off relegation, while Athletic Bilbao, in 10th, harbour faint hopes of qualifying for the Conference League. The match, part of matchweek 34, kicks off at 12:30 PM local time. Alaves enter the fixture on the back of a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Mallorca, a result that lifted them two points clear of the relegation zone. Athletic, meanwhile, suffered a 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their last outing, extending a worrying run that has seen them lose five of their last seven league games.

Alaves' Survival Battle Hinges on Home Form

Quique Sanchez Flores' side have built their campaign around a solid home record, collecting 24 points from 16 matches at Mendizorrotza, with only four defeats. That fortress mentality will be tested against a Basque rival that has not lost away to Alaves since October 2020, though the corresponding fixture last season ended 1-1. Alaves have won just nine of 52 all-time meetings with Athletic, but one of those victories came in the reverse game at San Mames earlier this season, a 1-0 result that will give them belief. The Blue and Whites have lost only one of their last six matches overall, suggesting they are finding form at the right moment.

Athletic Bilbao's European Push Falters

Ernesto Valverde's side have endured a disappointing campaign after finishing fourth last season and qualifying for the Champions League. With 12 wins, five draws, and 16 defeats from 33 matches, they sit on 41 points, three behind sixth-placed Getafe. Europa League qualification appears out of reach, but a Conference League berth remains possible. The Lions' recent form has been poor, with five losses in seven league matches, including the 3-2 reverse to Atletico Madrid. Valverde has a strong personal record against Alaves, with nine wins, two draws, and two defeats in 13 meetings, but his team's inconsistency this season has raised questions about the club's direction, with reports linking former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic to the Basque Country.

Team News and Injury Concerns

Alaves will be without Lucas Boye due to a hamstring injury, while Carlos Protesoni faces a late fitness test. Facundo Garces is suspended following a sports court decision. Athletic are missing Benat Prados, who has a cruciate ligament tear, and Carlos Benavidez, sidelined with a muscle injury. Expected lineups see Antonio Sivera in goal for Alaves, protected by a back four of Angel Perez, Jonny Otto, Nahuel Tenaglia, and Victor Parada. Athletic will likely field Unai Simon, with Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Dani Vivian, and Yuri Berchiche in defence. The Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, are set to feature in attack alongside Gorka Guruzeta.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Dynamics

The Basque derby adds an extra layer of intensity, with Athletic having won three of the last five competitive meetings. However, Alaves' 1-0 victory at San Mames in September shows the reverse fixture is rarely predictable. Quique Flores has faced Valverde 15 times, recording four wins, five draws, and six defeats. Alaves' remaining fixtures include matches against Elche, Barcelona, Real Oviedo, and Rayo Vallecano, meaning their fate could swing dramatically in the final weeks. Athletic, with a game in hand on some rivals, must arrest their slide to keep European hopes alive.

What the Match Means for Both Sides

For Alaves, a win would be a significant step toward safety, potentially opening a five-point gap to the relegation zone with four games left. A defeat, however, could drag them back into the mire, especially if Sevilla, currently 18th, pick up points. Athletic need a victory to keep pace with Getafe and maintain pressure in the race for sixth place. A loss would likely end their European ambitions, leaving them to reflect on a season that fell short of expectations. The outcome of this Basque derby will shape the final chapter of both clubs' campaigns.

The bottom line

• Alaves are 16th with 36 points, two points above relegation, and have a strong home record with 24 points from 16 matches.
• Athletic Bilbao are 10th with 41 points, three points off sixth place, but have lost five of their last seven league games.
• Alaves won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, though Athletic are unbeaten away to Alaves since October 2020.
• Key absences: Alaves miss Lucas Boye (hamstring) and Facundo Garces (suspension); Athletic are without Benat Prados (cruciate ligament) and Carlos Benavidez (muscle injury).
• The match kicks off at 12:30 PM on May 2, 2026, at Mendizorrotza Stadium.
• Alaves' remaining fixtures include Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano, while Athletic face a must-win scenario to keep European hopes alive.