Alavés vs athletic club
“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 crucial match on May 2, 2026, at the Estadio de Mendizorroza.
As the La Liga season nears its end, Alavés sits precariously in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone. With their recent victory over Mallorca—where they secured a 2-1 win—they hope to build momentum. In contrast, Athletic Club finds itself in 10th position, three points shy of the European qualification spots, following a disappointing loss to Atlético Madrid.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. Alavés has only won nine of their 52 encounters with Athletic in all competitions and has struggled historically against them. Yet, they have shown resilience lately, losing just one of their last six matches. Quique Sanchez Flores has managed to instill some confidence in his squad.
Key statistics:
- Alavés currently ranks 16th in La Liga.
- Athletic Club is positioned at 10th place.
- Alavés is just two points ahead of Sevilla in the relegation zone.
- Athletic is three points behind Getafe for a European spot.
- Alavés has earned 24 points from home matches this season.
- The last six matches have seen Alavés lose only once.
Ernesto Valverde’s side hasn’t lost away to Alavés since October 2020, which adds another layer of pressure for the home team. The rivalry—often referred to as the Basque derby—brings an electric atmosphere that fans cherish deeply. The tension between these teams often spills over into fierce competition on the pitch.
The last time these two teams met, Alavés triumphed with a narrow 1-0 victory. That win could serve as motivation for them as they look to repeat history. As they prepare for this pivotal clash, both teams will be keenly aware of what’s at stake: survival for Alavés and redemption for Athletic.
The next fixtures following this match include challenging opponents for both sides. Alavés will face Elche and Barcelona soon after, while Athletic hopes to regroup and push towards European competition as the season wraps up.
