Two teams in the relegation mix in La Liga will lock horns on Saturday afternoon, with Alaves welcoming Espanyol.
Alaves have 22 points to show from their 24 La Liga matches this season, which has left them in 19th spot in the La Liga table, while Espanyol are 15th, boasting 24 points from their opening 24 games of the campaign.
Match preview
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Alaves finished 10th in La Liga last season and have now spent seven of their last eight campaigns in Spain's top flight, with the Basque outfit managing to consolidate at this level of football.
El Glorioso have found it a lot more difficult this term, though, with a total of five wins, seven draws and 12 defeats from 24 matches bringing them 22 points, which is only enough for 19th position in the table.
It is not time to hit the panic button, with Eduardo Coudet's side only one point behind 17th-placed Las Palmas, but they have only picked up two points from their last four league matches, including a 3-3 draw with Leganes last time out.
Alaves have struggled at home this season, picking up just 13 points from 11 matches, but they did record a 2-1 victory over Espanyol when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding match during the 2021-22 campaign.
Earlier this season, Espanyol, who were promoted back to La Liga through the 2023-24 Segunda Division playoffs, ran out 3-2 winners, and the Catalan side have three victories from their last four La Liga matches against Alaves.
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Espanyol will enter this match off the back of an impressive result, having held Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw last weekend; Roberto Fernandez made the breakthrough in the 62nd minute, before Oihan Sancet levelled for the top-four hopefuls 15 minutes later.
Manolo Gonzalez's side have 24 points to show from their 24 league matches this season, and they are only one point clear of 18th-placed Valencia, with six teams currently involved in a battle at the bottom.
Espanyol have only actually lost one of their last six in the league, but their away form is a concern, picking up only a point from their last nine fixtures on their travels, with that draw coming away to Sevilla on January 25.
The White and Blues have spent two of their last four seasons in the Segunda Division, so it is a difficult period in their history, and it would be a huge blow if the team suffered yet another relegation this term, having worked so hard to return to the top flight.
Team News
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Alaves will be missing Jesus Owono, Hugo Novoa and Tomas Conechny through injury on Saturday afternoon, but the Basque outfit have not reported any fresh concerns following their clash with Leganes.
Joan Jordan came off the bench to net a brace last time out, and the midfielder is now set to come into the side.
There will also be a spot in the final third of the field for Kike Garcia, with the Spaniard enjoying an excellent goalscoring campaign, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in Spain's top flight.
As for Espanyol, Jose Gragera, Pablo Ramon, Fernando Pacheco are again set to be unavailable for selection through injury.
Head coach Gonzalez could decide to select the same XI from the clash with Athletic last time out due to the manner of the performance.
Roberto Fernandez has now scored twice in five La Liga appearances since his arrival on loan from Braga during the January transfer window, and there is set to be another start through the middle for the 22-year-old.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Diarra, M Sanchez; Blanco, Jordan; Vicente, Guridi, Alena; Kike Garcia
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Lozano, Gonzalez; Carreras, Kral, Puado; Fernandez
We say: Alaves 1-1 Espanyol
This is a tough match to call, as Espanyol have struggled badly on their travels this season, but there is no question that the Catalan side are an improving outfit, and we are expecting Gonzalez's side to be good enough for a point on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
