Alaves vs Girona Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Despite a change in management, Deportivo Alaves are hovering just above the bottom three and the danger zone as they now take on a Girona side looking for European qualification.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 11th January, 2025: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Alaves vs Girona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Alaves Preview: Basque in a battle
Last month, Alaves took what appeared to be the bizarre decision to sack manager Luis Garcia Plaza with him being replaced by former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet. Things have stabilised in terms of draws but the Basque side remain winless since his appointment.
In fact, his four matches in charge of Alaves have all been drawn with their most recent outing in La Liga being a 2-2 draw at Mestalla against fellow strugglers Valencia in a game in which they led from the seventh minute and then eventually conceded a 98th minute equalising penalty.
Girona Preview: Genius of Girona
Girona overachieved in their fifth ever season in the top-flight last year to finish third and qualify for the UEFA Champions League but things were always going to be difficult as they sold off several key players but Michel has them punching back above their weight.
Currently sitting outside of the top seven may appear an underachievement after last season but it is still above what the size of the club and standard of the side should be at. They have also remained entertaining to watch throughout this campaign.
Alaves Team News: Goalkeeper issue
Alaves’ first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Sivera is unavailable for this weekend’s visit of Girona as he deals with a hand injury. As well as the absence of the ‘keeper, Alaves’ experienced midfielder Jon Guridi is also an injury doubt for this weekend.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Jesus Owono; Carlos Vicente, Pica, Abqar, Diarra, Manu Sanchez; Conechny, Joan Jordan, Antonio Blanco, Carlos Martin; Kike
Unavailable: Antonio Sivera (Injured)
Questionable: Jon Guridi (Injured)
Girona Team News: Couple of injuries
Girona are dealing with a couple of key injury issues as they make the trip to the Basque Country this weekend with Ukraine international Viktor Tsygankov sidelined alongside former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Paulo Gazzaniga; David Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Arnau Martinez, Van de Beek, Ivan Martin, Miguel Gutierrez; Yaser Asprilla, Abel Ruiz, Bryan Gil
Unavailable: Tsygankov (Injured), Miovski (Injured)
Questionable:
Alaves vs Girona Prediction
Eduardo Coudet is known for quite an entertaining and attacking style of football. Alaves have been performing above their level for a while now under Luis Garcia Plaza but they wanted to evolve the style – and that may well backfire. They now face a Girona side that have been the entertainers of La Liga in each of the last few seasons and this one could well be quite fun for the neutral at Mendizorrozza this weekend.
Alaves vs Girona Tip: Both teams to score
