Villarreal aims to extend their unbeaten La Liga streak to four games as they visit Mendizorrotza Stadium to face Alaves on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are 14th in the standings with 24 points from 23 games, while Alaves, having played the same number of matches, are 11th with 26 points.
Match Preview
Promoted via last season’s Segunda Division playoffs, Alaves’s primary goal is to avoid relegation, aiming for any position above 18th.
Surpassing expectations, Alaves has seven wins, five draws, and 11 losses, totaling 26 points and sitting 11th in the league. They are nine points clear of the drop zone and only four points behind 10th-placed Getafe, making a top-half finish possible with continued good performances.
Despite a 3-1 loss to Barcelona recently, Luis Garcia’s team had won three consecutive matches before that, securing 10 points from their last five games.
Alaves won 2-1 against Villarreal in their last season’s meeting, and the teams drew 1-1 in October’s reverse fixture.
On the other hand, Villarreal comes off a 0-0 draw with Cadiz, struggling to follow up their 5-3 win over Barcelona. Despite a disappointing season, they’ve gone three league matches without a loss and still aim for a top-half finish.
Currently 14th, Marcelino’s team has six wins, six draws, and 11 losses, gathering 24 points. They are far from the top six and even further from fourth place but remain in the Europa League, offering a potential Champions League qualification route.
Villarreal has won three out of 11 away league matches, while Alaves has secured five home victories.
Alaves La Liga Form: L D W W W L
Alaves Form (All Competitions): W W L W W L
Villarreal La Liga Form: W L L D W D
Villarreal Form (All Competitions): L D L D W D
Team News
Alaves will miss Aleksandar Sedlar due to a knee injury, with Kike Garcia and Carlos Vicente also doubtful. Andoni Gorosabel returns from suspension.
Coach Garcia is likely to keep the same lineup from the Barcelona match, featuring Samu Omorodion, who has scored seven league goals this season, in attack.
Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza, Ramon Terrats, Dani Parejo, Yeremy Pino, and Denis Suarez are sidelined, and Juan Foyth is questionable due to a muscle issue.
Gerard Moreno and Alexander Sorloth are expected to lead the attack again, supported by Alex Baena and Ilias Akhomach on the wings. Jose Luis Morales and Goncalo Guedes might start on the bench.
Possible Starting Lineups
Alaves:
Sivera;
Gorosabel, Marin, Duarte, Lopez;
Blanco, Guevara;
Sola, Guridi, Rioja;
Omorodion
Villarreal:
Jorgensen;
Femenia, Albiol, Cuenca, A Moreno;
Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena;
G Moreno, Sorloth
Prediction: Alaves 1-1 Villarreal
Facing a tough Barcelona in their last match, Alaves has shown strong form lately, while Villarreal hasn’t been at their best this season. Expecting a close match, we predict a low-scoring draw this Saturday afternoon.
