Villarreal will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches when they head to Mendizorrotza Stadium on Saturday afternoon to tackle Alaves.
The away side are 14th in the table, picking up just 24 points from their 23 league games this season, while Alaves are 11th, collecting 26 points from their opening 23 matches of 2023-24.
Match preview
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Alaves were promoted back to La Liga via last season's Segunda Division playoffs, so their main focus this term is to stay up, with any spot over 18th therefore considered to be a successful campaign.
El Glorioso have performed above expectations in 2023-24, though, boasting a record of seven wins, five draws and 11 defeats from 23 matches to collect 26 points, which has left them in 11th spot in the table.
Alaves are some nine points ahead of the relegation zone and just four points off 10th-placed Getafe, with a top-half finish certainly achievable if they continue to put in strong performances.
Luis Garcia's side suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Barcelona last time out, but they entered that match off the back of three straight victories and have picked up 10 points from their last five games.
The Basque outfit beat Villarreal 2-1 in the corresponding match last season, while the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when they locked horns in the reverse fixture back in October.
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Villarreal, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a goalless draw with Cadiz, with the Yellow Submarine unable to build on their 5-3 victory over Barcelona at the end of last month.
There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing campaign for the club, but they are unbeaten in their last three league matches and will still believe that a top-half finish is achievable.
As it stands, Marcelino's side are 14th, boasting a record of six wins, six draws and 11 defeats from 23 matches this season, which has seen them pick up 24 points.
Villarreal are 13 points off the top six and some 24 points from fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, but the Yellow Submarine are in the latter stages of the Europa League and could therefore qualify for next season's Champions League by winning that competition.
El Submarino Amarillo, who finished fifth in La Liga last season, have only managed to win three of their 11 away league games this season, while Alaves have recorded five victories on home soil.
Team News
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Alaves will again be missing Aleksandar Sedlar due to a long-term knee problem, while Kike Garcia and Carlos Vicente remain doubts for the Basque outfit.
However, the squad will definitely be boosted by the return of Andoni Gorosabel, who was unable to take to the field against Barcelona last time out through suspension.
Head coach Garcia is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the loss to Barcelona, and there will be another start in the final third for Samu Omorodion, who has netted seven league goals this term.
As for Villarreal, Alfonso Pedraza, Ramon Terrats, Dani Parejo, Yeremy Pino and Denis Suarez remain unavailable, while Juan Foyth is a doubt due to a muscular problem.
Despite the team failing to score last time out, Gerard Moreno and Alexander Sorloth should continue as the front two here, with Alex Baena and Ilias Akhomach in the wide positions.
Jose Luis Morales and Goncalo Guedes are both pushing for starts, but it seems likely that the pair will again be named on the bench for the first whistle this weekend.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Gorosabel, Marin, Duarte, Lopez; Blanco, Guevara; Sola, Guridi, Rioja; Omorodion
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Femenia, Albiol, Cuenca, A Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena; G Moreno, Sorloth
We say: Alaves 1-1 Villarreal
Alaves found it difficult against Barcelona last time out, but their recent form has been strong, and Villarreal are not exactly having a brilliant season. We are expecting this contest to be very tight and are struggling to separate them, which has led to us backing a low-scoring draw on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
