“Alavés are battling for their lives at the bottom, and they are in decent form, so it is difficult to back a struggling Athletic to triumph on Saturday,” said an analyst ahead of the upcoming clash. This match on May 2, 2026, at the Estadio de Mendizorroza, is critical for both teams.
Currently, Alavés sit 16th in the La Liga table, just two points ahead of the relegation zone occupied by Sevilla. They recently secured a vital 2-1 win against Mallorca, which marked a significant boost in morale. In contrast, Athletic Club languishes in 10th place, three points behind sixth-placed Getafe and the last European spot.
Key statistics:
- Alavés have won only nine of their 52 meetings with Athletic in all competitions.
- Athletic remains unbeaten away to Alavés since October 2020.
- This season, Alavés have accumulated 24 points from their 16 home matches.
- In their last six matches, Alavés have lost just once.
Athletic’s recent form has been disappointing; they lost 3-2 to Atlético Madrid in their last outing. Coach Ernesto Valverde faces pressure to turn things around as the season reaches its climax. Meanwhile, Quique Sanchez Flores leads Alavés with renewed optimism following their recent victory.
The last encounter between these two Basque rivals saw Alavés claim a narrow 1-0 victory. With the stakes high for both teams, fans can expect an intense showdown at Mendizorroza Stadium this weekend.
The next few matches will be decisive for Alavés as they also prepare to face tough opponents like Elche and Barcelona in the coming weeks. Each point is crucial as they strive to secure their place in La Liga and avoid relegation.
