La Liga | Gameweek 35

May 11, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

San Mames Barria

Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves

Match preview

Athletic were dreaming of a home final in the Europa League this season, but it was not to be as the Lions were thrashed 7-1 on aggregate by Manchester United as the Red Devils progressed to the final at San Mames against Tottenham Hotspur.

Ernesto Valverde's side gave themselves a glimpse of a chance when Mikel Jauregizar's stunner gave Athletic a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford on Thursday night, but Man United's quality ultimately prevailed as the Red Devils ran out 4-1 winners in the return leg.

Athletic's attention is now firmly on La Liga and it would be disastrous for them to drop out of the top five at this stage of the season, but they are currently in control of a Champions League spot for next season.

The Lions are fourth in the table, three points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal and four ahead of sixth-placed Real Betis, and their home form in La Liga this season has been excellent, with 36 points from 17 games.

Athletic drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in La Liga last weekend and have won just one of their last three top-flight games, so Alaves will be hoping for a big result at the home of their Basque rivals on Sunday.

Alaves are locked in a relegation battle, with 35 points from their 34 league games this season leaving them in 17th place, three points ahead of 18th-placed Las Palmas with four games remaining.

They have been beaten in just one of their last five league games and have taken five points from their last three, drawing at Sevilla and Atletico Madrid before beating Real Sociedad at home.

Eduardo Coudet's side are unbeaten in their last five away league games, while they have not lost away to anyone other than Barcelona or Atletico Madrid since the start of November.

Alaves will undoubtedly be the fresher of the two teams, having held Athletic to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season, so confidence will be high in the away side's camp.

El Glorioso finished 10th in the Spanish top-flight last season, and while the 2024-25 campaign will be much more testing for the club, securing another season in La Liga would be a huge boost.

Recent Performance

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:DDWLWD

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):WLWLDL

Alaves La Liga form:LWLDWD

Team News

Athletic will welcome back Dani Vivian to the starting line-up after the centre-back missed the second leg of their European tie with Man United on Thursday night through suspension.

The Lions were also without their top three scorers of the season at Old Trafford with Nico Williams, Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet all out, and it remains to be seen if any of the trio will recover in time for this game.

Gorka Guruzeta is likely to feature in the final third, but the hosts will be without two key players in Andoni Gorosabel and Alex Berenguer due to La Liga suspensions.

For Alaves, Abdel Abqar remains a doubt with a hamstring problem, but otherwise the away side are in excellent shape.

Coach Coudet could name the same team that started the game against Atletico last time out, with Carlos Vicente and Carles Alena in the wide positions.

The experienced Kike Garcia, who has scored 12 times in Spain's top flight this season, could also find a place in the middle of the park.

Possible starting lineup

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Benat, Jauregizar; Djalo, Vesga, U Gomez; Guruzeta

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Tenaglia, Garces, Mourino, Sanchez; Blanco, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Alena; Kike Garcia