Sports Mole reviews Friday’s La Liga match between Alaves and Real Valladolid, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams will compete in disappointing form in La Liga on Friday evening, as Alaves welcome Real Valladolid to the Estadio Mendizorroza.
The two teams lost the last three matches in the Spanish League, as Alaves occupies 13th place in the Spanish League table, with 10 points from the first nine matches, while Real Valladolid occupies 19th place, having obtained only five points from the first nine matches.
Preview the match
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Alaves made a strong start to the 2024-25 season, taking 10 points from their first six matches, but entered the international break in October after three successive defeats to Real Madrid, Getafe and Barcelona.
Luis Garcia’s team has now fallen to 13th place in the table, with 10 points from nine matches, but is only three points behind eighth place, and thus it was a positive start despite their recent struggles.
The Blue and Whites finished 10th in La Liga last season on their return to the top flight, and have now featured in eight of the last nine La Liga seasons.
Alaves have taken seven points from their four home league matches this season, and they will welcome Real Valladolid with the worst away record, having lost all four of their La Liga matches on the road.
Alaves have won the last two La Liga matches between these two teams, but this will mark their first meeting in the top flight of Spanish football since February 2021.
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Real Valladolid were promoted from the second division last season, with the Whites and Violets returning to the top flight after a year’s absence following their relegation in the 2022-23 season.
Paolo Pizzolano’s side have struggled in the early stages of the 2024-25 season, taking just five points from their opening nine matches, leaving them in 19th place in the table.
The promoted side have a record of one win, two draws and six defeats in the league this season, while they have the worst defensive record with 19 goals conceded, as well as the joint-worst attacking record, having scored just five times.
Real Valladolid earned a welcome point at home to Real Sociedad on September 21, but have lost their last three La Liga matches to Sevilla, Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano.
The Whites and Violets will host Villarreal in their final league match of the month, while their 2024-25 Copa del Rey journey will begin away to Astor on 29 October.
Alaves formation in the Spanish League:
Real Valladolid form in the Spanish League:
Team news
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Alaves have not reported any injury concerns ahead of Friday’s match, so it is possible that coach Garcia will have a full squad to choose from against Real Valladolid.
The coach is expected to resist the temptation to change his line-up after the three-goal loss to Barcelona last time out, but there could be a change in the final third of the pitch, with Quique Garcia likely to replace Toni Martinez.
Carlos Vicente has scored twice from a wide position this season, and the 25-year-old will return to the starting line-up once again, while Stoyshkov should continue in the No.10 position for the home team.
As for Real Valladolid, Cesar de la Hoz will be absent, while Javi Sanchez and Cenk Ozcacar remain major doubts due to foot and hamstring problems respectively, with the duo facing late fitness tests ahead of the competition.
Lucas Rosa picked up a notable yellow card in the match against Rayo Vallecano last time out, so there should be a change at left-back for the visitors on Friday evening.
Raul Moro is the club’s top scorer in the league this season with two goals, and the 21-year-old is expected to return to the starting line-up against Alaves, potentially replacing Darwin Machis.
Possible Alaves lineup:
Severa; Tenaglia, Cow, Moreno, Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco; Vicente, Stoichkov, Rebach; Kiki Garcia
Real Valladolid starting lineup:
Heine; Perez, Bah, Torres, Chasco; Martin, Comert, dictated; Ndiaye, Latassa, Moreau
We say: Alaves 2-1 Real Valladolid
Alaves has already scored 11 goals in the league this season, and Real Valladolid have conceded a lot of goals. There should be goals on Friday, we expect an entertaining game, and Alaves will likely have enough to get back to winning ways against a Real Valladolid side who have struggled on their travels this season.
To analyze data on most likely scores, scores and more for this match, please click here.
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