Saturday, May 4, 2019, the Basque derby is scheduled between Alaves vs Real Sociedad. Usually these meetings are quite intense, ambition being taken to the maximum. The game will take place on Estadio de Mendizorroza.

Alaves can still get a seat in the Europa League

For Alaves, the match with Real Sociedad is one of the last chances to get a European seat. Any other result outside the victory will take it out of the 7th place, the last one to qualify in the Europa League. As there are only three games to be played, Bilbao’s advance can become devastating. After a very good first half of the season, Alaves played very poorly in this second part. There has been a series of seven games without victory, which is too much for a team with European claims. He had some chances to win with Leganes and Valladolid, but he did not manage to keep the advantage. The result of the last round in Bilbao keeps it in this battle and gives it a chance, that if the two will finish the draw, they will pass in front because of the direct results. Jonathan Calleri remains the scorer of the team, with 8 goals scored, despite not having scored in the last three stages. There are no important absences in the host team, so Abelardo can line up a competitive band. For him the end of the season will be the end of the line at Alaves. He will be replaced by Asier Garitano.

• Alaves (4-4-2): Pacheco – Ximo Navarro, Laguardia, Maripan, Ruben Duarte – Takashi Inui, Pina, Manu Garcia, Jony – Calleri, Borja Baston
• Coach: Abelardo
• Injury: Burgui, Diego Rolan

Real Sociedad: Europe remains a chimera

For Real Sociedad the Europa League has been getting away more and more lately. Now, three stages before the end and only 9 points in the game, divide 6 points in 7th place, the last one in the European competition. Mathematically there are chances, and the opponents, in the 3 matches that follow, are Alaves and Espanyol, away, and Real Madrid at home. It takes 3 wins to hope for. And under these circumstances, the other teams, especially Athletic Bilbao, would have to get only 3 points, because in the direct duel, points match, Sociedad is advantageous. It is true that Bilbao also has difficult matches with Valladolid, Celta Vigo and Sevilla. It is clear that the last place of Europa League has become a Basque business, Bilbao, Alaves and Real Sociedad being the teams that fight for him. Good news from the infirmary, where Diego Llorente and Asier Illarramendi returned. Both have responded well to the effort and may appear in the base formation aligned with coach Imanol Alguacil. Mikel Oyarzabal continues to be the top scorer of the team, with 13 goals scored, two more than Willian Jose.

• Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Rulli – Zaldua, Aritz, Hector Moreno, Aihen Munoz – Ruben Pardo, Merino – Oyarzabal, Sangalli, Barrenetxea – Willian Jose
• Coach: Imanol Alguacil
• Injuries: Januzaj, Zurutuza, Guevara, Zubeldia

Alaves vs Real Sociedad Picks

Alaves is closer to the Europa League spot and Real Sociedad can only mess her up if she does not miss this date. I can not forget that the guests have won in the last round and only once this season managed to tie two consecutive victories, just after Alguacil was installed on the technical bench. They have not repeated this double over the season. Alaves remains my favorite and it is time to win her after seven games without victory. To avoid a draw, I will choose a draw no bet bet.

Our Prediction: 1

Odds: 1.80