Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction 3 October 2024

Last week, Athletic displayed their characteristic resilience, earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Roma, underlining their Basque spirit and determination. However, their recent La Liga match against Sevilla (also 1-1) told a different story, as they struggled to close out the game. After eight rounds in the domestic league, the Lions currently sit fifth in the standings.

AZ, meanwhile, is capitalizing on the struggles of traditional Eredivisie powerhouses Feyenoord and Ajax, securing third place in the Dutch league. However, their momentum was interrupted by a surprising 1-2 loss to Utrecht. On the European stage, the Alkmaar side edged out Elfsborg 3-2 in a narrow win.

Athletic’s squad depth and quality give them a clear advantage, and playing in front of their passionate home fans should further bolster their confidence. My prediction: Athletic will come out on top, thanks to their superior class and home-field advantage.

Athletic to win 1.76