Alaves vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Deportivo Alaves’ decision to sack Luis Garcia Plaza has certainly backfired as the relegation battling Basque side now face top four chasing Villarreal at the Mendizorrozza this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 8th March, 2025: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Alaves vs Villarreal may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Alaves Preview: Struggling Alaves
Deportivo Alaves took the decision to sack manager Luis Garcia Plaza in December after he had done an impressive job but seemingly non-footballing reasons had been pushing for his departure for a while and he was replaced by former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet.
Eduardo Coudet himself is now under pressure as they appear almost bound for relegation at this stage with their 1-1 draw away at out-of-form Real Mallorca in the Balearic Islands last weekend meaning they have managed just one win in their last 15 matches.
Villarreal Preview: Thrilling Villarreal
Villarreal were left frustrated after the reasonable decision to postpone their game very late in the day when players were about to come out of the tunnel at El Madrigal against Espanyol last weekend following a red weather warning, just a couple of months after disastrous flooding.
The Yellow Submarine do now have a game-in-hand as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting four points behind Athletic Club in the top four in La Liga. They most recently defeated Rayo Vallecano by a goal to nil at Vallecas a couple of weeks ago.
Alaves Team News: A few issues
Antonio Sivera has been at times this season but he has now returned from a hand injury with his understudy, Equatorial Guinea international goalkeeper Jesus Owono, now himself an injury doubt alongside experienced midfielder Carlos Benavidez.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Santiago Mourino, Manu Sanchez; Carlos Vicente, Joan Jordan, Antonio Blanco, Carles Alena; Carlos Martin, Kike
Unavailable: Hugo Novoa (Injured), Conechny (Injured)
Questionable: Jesus Owono (Injured), Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Villarreal Team News: Couple of injuries
With quite a deep squad, Villarreal will be content in dealing with just a couple of injury issues. Those couple of injuries include Morocco international attacking midfielder Ilias Akhomach as well as club captain Gerard Moreno.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Conde; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, Sergi Cardona; Yeremy Pino, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Alex Baena; Ayoze Perez, Barry
Unavailable: Akhomach (Injured), Gerard (Injured)
Questionable:
Alaves vs Villarreal Prediction
Alaves, despite being such a poor side in the last few months, have scored 29 goals in 26 games which will surely please their hierarchy as the reported overarching reason for the departure of Luis Garcia Plaza and appointment of Eduardo Coudet was to make them more entertaining to watch. They face a Villarreal side that have seen their 25 games so far this season consist of a remarkable 93 goals with Marcelino’s Yellow Submarine playing a fun style of football from the very start. Villarreal are favourites but always backing them to be a fun watch is a good bet and it is no different for this one in the Basque Country.
Alaves vs Villarreal Tip: Villarreal to win & over 2.5 goals
