Mercurial club Athletic Bilbao (8-6-2, 26 points) will look to build a winning run as they square off with newly-promoted side Deportivo Alaves (5-5-6, 21 points) in a 2016-2017 La Liga season match at the San Mamés Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 8.
Athletic Bilbao has alternated winning and losing in the last five rounds to settle in the seventh spot of the current league table. The team is two points below the second and final Europa League qualifying berth for next season currently held by Atletico Madrid and three points above their closest pursuer, eight-place team Eibar.
Los Leones is coming off a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Celta Vigo squad also at their home field of San Mamés on Dec. 19, as per Press TV.
After a goalless first half of action, Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas broke the game's deadlock with a left-footed shot in the 54th minute off a cross by teammate Theo Bongonda.
However, Celta defender Facundo Roncaglia was booked with a second yellow card in the 80th minute, which sent him off the pitch, setting up a successful penalty kick for Athletic Club striker Aritz Aduriz to equalize the count at 1-1.
With a one-man advantage, head coach Ernesto Valverde's squad netted the winner in injury time, courtesy of midfielder Mikel San Jose.
Meanwhile, Alaves extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-0 nipping of struggling squad Real Betis at their home ground of Mendizorrotza Stadium on Dec. 16, Fox Sports Asia reported.
Brazilian forward Deyverson netted the winning goal of the match in the 58th minute with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, which was assisted by Spanish forward Gaizka Toquero.
Alaves has been unbeaten in five of their last six matches as the team is currently settled in the 12th spot in the overall standings, nine points above the bottom three relegation area.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 2-1 win by Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Arrizabalaga; Balenziaga, Boveda, Lekue, Alvarez; Muniain, Garcia; Benat, Williams, Vesga; Aduriz
Alaves starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): Pacheco; Hernandez, Feddal, Femenia, Laguardia; Gomez, Llorente, Toquero, Garcia; Deyverson; Camarasa
Head To Head
It is 11 years since the clubs last met. Alaves actually won at San Mames in the 2005-06 season but were still relegated.
Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves Stats
Both teams have scored in 75% of Athletic's home league games this season and 50% of Alaves' away matches.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Aymeric Laporte returns after suspension to take his place in the heart of the defence. Inigo Lekue has picked up a knock, but should start at right-back with Eneko Boveda, who impressed against Barcelona, moving infield.
Alaves Team News
Full back Theo Hernandez is missing due to suspension so Raul Garcia should fill in. Otherwise Alaves are at full strength and will make few changes.
