- Head-to-head: Athletic Bilbao have won two of their last 3 home clashes against Alaves.
- Odds: Athletic Bilbao are the favourites at 1.81, with draw 3.7 and Alaves 5.15.
- Away form: Deportivo Alaves have taken one draw and one loss from two away games in LaLiga 2026/2027, conceding three goals.
Terzic too smart for Babazorros?
Athletic Bilbao:
Edin Terzic took over Athletic Bilbao on 1 July 2026 and, so far, has been encouraging them to play quicker, more vertical soccer than they had previously. Los Leones have won only two of their last five matches, drawing one and losing two, but their last two games show how they can cut loose against the right opponents.
After a sharp 0-2 away victory against Celta Vigo, they dismantled Atletico Madrid 3-0 at home only to then play out a 1-1 draw with Elche. Bilbao should be up to beating a more reserved Alaves side on Saturday as they look to build into a 4-2-3-1 around a quick and smart playmaker. Robert Navarro leads their scoring in LaLiga 2026/2027 with two in three, but has three in Bilbao's last five games.
Alaves:
Quique Sanchez Flores has made Alaves into something of a compact, risk-averse unit since taking over on 3 March 2026, with Angel Perez providing three assists in the last five matches. The Argentine has scored four times in as many league games, including six of Alaves' ten goals in their last five.
Their record is three wins, one draw and a defeat, so they will be flying high in second place on Saturday with 10 points from five games, compared to Bilbao's seven points in eighth.
Bilbao can edge it
Alaves have been ruthless at home to Villarreal and Osasuna but their 2-1 loss at Racing Santander proved the road can be tough.
This match-up could be a tale of two press vs block with Athletic trying to play between the lines and Alaves patiently playing into wide areas to break down their back line.
But Athletic can unlock Alaves in transition if they get their forwards running, with Navarro's ability to ghost into the box giving them an edge.
- Alaves are in good form and will be tough to beat, but we're taking the home advantage and head-to-head edge for Athletic in this derby.
- Bilbao have won three of the last five head-to-head meetings, including a 4-2 away victory in LaLiga 2025/2026.
- We are taking Bilbao to win, but the odds are certainly short and it should be close so the double chance option of Athletic or draw is a solid alternative.
