Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-0
Best Odds: 7/1
Deportivo Alaves and Barcelona will lock horns with each other in La Liga this coming weekend. The match between Los blanquiazules and the Blaugrana will be held at the Mendizorroza and is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 pm UK time on Saturday.
Deportivo Alaves
Deportivo Alaves won promotion from the Segunda Division to La Liga at the end of last season. They finished fourth in the table and made it via the playoffs. As you would expect, Alaves were supposed to fight for survival in La Liga this season, but they are doing much better than expected.
Alaves are as high as 11th in the La Liga table at the moment. They have picked up 26 points from 22 matches and are 10 points above the relegation zone. Luis García Plaza’s side are safe from getting relegated from La Liga at the end of the season.
El Glorioso will head into the La Liga match against Barcelona on the back fo a 3-0 victory over Almeria away from home in La Liga. It came after a 1-0 win against Cadiz in front of their fans in the league which came after a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on the road in the Copa del Rey.
Team News:
Deportivo Alaves are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Antonio Sivera will be in goal for the visiting team. Andoni Gorosabel, Rafa Marin, Ruben Duarte and Javi Lopez will be the four defenders. Antonio Blanco and Ander Guevera will be the two holding midfielders. Samu Omorodion will lead the line for the visiting team and will have Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi and Luis Rioja behind him in attacking midfield.
Barcelona
Barcelona are going through a bad period. Their head coach Xavi has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of the season. Barcelona, who won the La Liga title last season, are unlikely to even mount a late challenge for the championship this campaign.
The Blaugrana are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 44 points from 21 matches. They are level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and are 10 points behind second-placed and bitter rivals Real Madrid. Girona, who are at the top of the standings, are 11 points clear of Barcelona, although they have played a game more.
Barcelona will head into the La Liga match against Osasuna on the back of a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Villarreal. It came after a 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey which came after a 4-2 victory over Real Betis on the road in La Liga.
Team News:
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Gavi all are injured for Barcelona. Sergi Roberto and Raphinha will not play against Osasuna as well. Although Inigo Martinez has recovered from a muscle injury, he is unlikely to be available. Barcelona head coach Xavi is likely to line up his team in a 4-3-3 formation. Pena will be in goal and will have Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi and Cancelo in front of him in defence. Pedri, De Jong and Gundogan will be the three midfielders. Yamal, Torres and Lewandowski will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Barcelona have won 3 of their last 5 La Liga matches.
- Deportivo Alaves have won their last 3 La Liga games.
- Barcelona have scored 43 goals in 21 La Liga matches.
- Robert Lewandowski has scored 8 goals and given 5 assists in 19 La Liga games for Barcelona this season.
- Deportivo Alaves have scored 22 goals in 22 La Liga games.
Conclusion
Deportivo Alaves are doing relatively well at the moment and could end up in the top half of the La Liga table. However, Barcelona have the better team. Even though Xavi’s side are the visiting side, they should have more than enough to pick up all three points at the Mendizorroza.
Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-0
Best Odds: 7/1
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