Deportivo Alaves vs. Real Sociedad Tips and Odds – 23/04/2025

• Fixture: Deportivo Alavés vs Real Sociedad
• Date: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
• Kick-off: 19:30 UTC
• Venue: Estadio de Mendizorroza, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Match Preview

The Basque derby returns as Deportivo Alavés host Real Sociedad at the atmospheric Mendizorrotza Stadium, a venue renowned for its passionate crowd despite its modest size. Both sides enter this clash with plenty at stake: Alavés are fighting to steer clear of the relegation zone, while Real Sociedad are pushing to secure a European spot, making this a high-stakes regional showdown.

Alavés have had a challenging campaign and currently sit in the lower reaches of La Liga. Their recent form is mixed, with a notable 1-0 away win at Girona but a narrow 0-1 home defeat to Real Madrid in their last outing. The Babazorros have shown resilience, avoiding defeat in three of their last five matches, but goals have been hard to come by, with top scorer Kike García managing just three league goals so far. Their defensive record is also a concern, conceding an average of 1.45 goals per game, and they’ve struggled to find consistency at home.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, have had an up-and-down run themselves. They recently suffered a 0-2 home loss to Mallorca but bounced back with a 3-1 win away at Las Palmas. Their campaign has been hampered by injuries and suspensions, but they remain in the hunt for European football, currently sitting in the top half of the table. Sociedad’s attacking play is often fluid and possession-based, and they are forecasted to dominate the ball and create danger from set pieces in this fixture.

Both squads are dealing with significant absences. Alavés will be without first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Sivera due to a hand injury, as well as suspended midfielder Jon Guridi and forward Tomás Conechny. Jesús Owono is set to deputize in goal, while the midfield will need to be reshuffled. Real Sociedad have their own woes: Hamari Traoré is out long-term with an ACL injury, and several key players, including Nayef Aguerd, Jon Pacheco, Brais Méndez, Luka Sučić, Arsen Zakharyan, Sheraldo Becker, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Orri Oskarsson, are listed as injured or missing for this match.

Despite the absences, both teams possess players capable of making a difference. For Alavés, the focus will be on Kike García’s work rate and Carlos Vicente’s creativity, while Sociedad will look to the likes of Takefusa Kubo (if fit), Ander Barrenetxea, and midfield orchestrator Martín Zubimendi to provide the spark. The derby atmosphere is sure to lift both sets of players, and with previous meetings often producing tight encounters, this promises to be a closely contested affair.

Key Players

• Deportivo Alavés:
  • Kike García (Top scorer, leads the line)
  • Carlos Vicente (Key creator and leading assist provider)
  • Jesús Owono (Goalkeeper, stepping in for Sivera)
• Real Sociedad:
  • Takefusa Kubo (Dynamic winger, if available)
  • Ander Barrenetxea (Likely to start in attack)
  • Martín Zubimendi (Midfield anchor)

Prediction

Given the injury and suspension lists, both sides will be somewhat depleted, but Real Sociedad’s depth and superior technical quality should give them the edge. Alavés’ home advantage and derby spirit will make them tough to break down, but Sociedad’s ability to dominate possession and create chances from set pieces could prove decisive. Expect a tight match, with Sociedad narrowly prevailing.

Predicted score: Deportivo Alavés 1-2 Real Sociedad

Betting Markets & Odds

Odds are indicative and may vary. Always check the latest prices before placing your bet.

This Basque derby is set to be a fiercely contested encounter with plenty of drama expected at Mendizorrotza. Whether you’re backing the hosts, the visitors, or a share of the spoils, there’s value across several betting markets for this midweek La Liga clash.