Alaves will welcome fellow Basque side Eibar to Mendizorroza for the second leg of the Segunda Division playoff semi-finals.
After playing out a 1-1 draw on Saturday, the playoff tie remains on a knife edge ahead of Thursday's return leg.
Match preview
© Reuters
Alaves would have been content with a 1-1 draw in the first leg despite taking the lead in the ninth minute through Mamadou Sylla.
Stoichkov restored parity in first-half stoppage time, and with neither side able to find a winner in the second half, Alaves avoided defeat against Eibar for the third time this season (W1, D2).
After finishing in fourth position, El Glorioso will have the advantage of playing in front of their own supporters in the second leg, and they will be hoping to replicate the 2-0 victory that they picked up against Eibar in February's home meeting.
Impressively, Alaves have lost just one of their 21 league games at Mendizorroza this season, and they ended the regular campaign with the second-best home record in the Segunda Division.
Having conceded more than one goal in just two of their home league matches this term, the hosts will hope that their resolute defence can be the deciding factor in Thursday's contest.
Eibar, meanwhile, may have been left frustrated with Saturday's draw, leaving them with just one win in their last 11 matches.
Although they were unable to make home advantage count in the first leg, Eibar are still firmly in the hunt for promotion as they look to end their two-year stay in the second tier.
Los Armeros fell at the semi-final stage of the playoffs last season, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Girona, who went on to win promotion to the top flight.
Gaizka Garitano's side may be able to take some inspiration from the fact that they won their away leg against Girona by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.
The visitors recorded a victory over Huesca in their most recent road trip to end a four-game winless away run, and if they can claim another win on Thursday, they will advance to the playoff final to face either Levante or Albacete.
Team News
© Reuters
Alaves boss Luis Garcia should have the majority of his squad available to him, but long-term absentee Nikola Maras remains sidelined.
After missing Saturday's contest through suspension, Real Madrid loanee Antonio Blanco could be recalled to the starting XI.
Sylla is expected to retain his place up front after scoring the opening goal at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua.
As for the visitors, Daniel Lasure and Imanol Garcia de Albeniz are both ruled out with thigh and Achilles tendon injuries.
After being sent off for two bookable offences in the first leg, Arbilla will be suspended for Thursday's away meeting.
Chema Rodriguez and Jon Bautista are both in contention to start after featuring as substitutes in Saturday's draw.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Duarte; Blanco, Benavidez, Guridi; Rioja, Jason, Sylla
Eibar possible starting lineup:
Zidane; Tejero, Alvarez, Berrocal, Rodriguez; Nolaskoain, Pereira; Corpas, Munoz, Stoichkov; Bautista
We say: Alaves 2-1 Eibar (Alaves to win 3-2 on aggregate)
After playing out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, we expect Thursday's contest to be another close-fought encounter, but we think home advantage could prove decisive for an Alaves side that have lost just one league game at Mendizorroza this season, and as a result, we expect them to claim a narrow victory against Eibar in the second leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
