Alaves vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Alaves vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Alaves vs Barcelona will take place on Saturday 3rd February, 2024 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Alaves vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Alaves vs Barcelona on in the UK? Alaves vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Alaves vs Barcelona in the UK? Alaves vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ALAVES
At the turn of the year, there were a few rumours that manager Luis Garcia Plaza was coming under major pressure and may not be long for being in the Deportivo Alaves dugout, despite the fact that they have performed relatively well to sit comfortably clear of the bottom three and the relegation places following their promotion last season.
However, the pressure has eased on the boss as the Basque club come into this on the back of three successive La Liga victories. They come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of bottom-of-the-table and winless Almeria in their most recent outing, last weekend, which followed up back-to-back victories against other strugglers Sevilla and Cadiz.
BARCELONA
Last weekend, after they suffered a humiliating 5-3 defeat at home to Villarreal to effectively end their already slim chances of defending the Spanish title, Xavi announced that he would be stepping down from his job at the end of the season but it has to be said that the end could come even sooner than that.
The Blaugrana did manage to edge past Osasuna by a goal to nil at the Olympic Stadium in midweek with Vitor Roque scoring his first goal for Barca in the 63rd minute and Osasuna frustrated in their hopes of getting back into the game as Unai Garcia was sent off. They do have a five-point cushion over Athletic in fifth ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
THE TEAM NEWS
ALAVES
The hosts do have a couple of availability concerns with long-term absentee Aleksandar Sedlar remaining injured, whilst Andoni Gorosabel is out suspended.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Marin, Duarte, Lopez, Parada; Blanco, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Rioja; Samu
UNAVAILABLE: Gorosabel (Suspended), Sedlar (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA
Xavi and Barcelona are having to deal with numerous injuries ahead of this one with the likes of Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Sergi Roberto and Alex Balde all among those unavailable this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Vitor Roque
UNAVAILABLE: Torres (Injured), Felix (Injured), Roberto (Injured), Balde (Injured), Raphinha (Injured), Martinez (Injured), Alonso (Injured), Gavi (Injured), ter Stegen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Cancelo (Injured), Yamal (Injured), Guiu (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Deportivo Alaves have been strong this season, in relative terms, as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting eight points outside of the top seven and the European spots. Their aforementioned recent winning run have been against three of the bottom five teams in the league. They now welcome a Barcelona side that were unconvincing for large swathes of last season and their poor performances are catching up with them as they drift away from top spot. Barca will still be expected to grind out a win but it is unlikely to be enjoyable to watch for the neutral at Mendizorrotza.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
