Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in La Liga on Friday evening, with Alaves welcoming Real Valladolid to Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Both sides have lost their last three La Liga matches, with Alaves sitting 13th in the La Liga table, boasting 10 points from their opening nine matches, while Real Valladolid are 19th, having picked up only five points from their first nine games.
Match preview
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Alaves made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, picking up 10 points from their opening six matches, but they entered the October international break off the back of three straight losses to Real Madrid, Getafe and Barcelona.
Luis Garcia's side have now dropped to 13th spot in the table, boasting 10 points from nine matches, but they are only three points off eighth position, and it has therefore been a positive start despite their recent struggles.
The Blue and Whites finished 10th in La Liga last season on their return to the top flight, and they have now been present in eight of the last nine La Liga seasons.
Alaves have picked up seven points from their four home league games this term, and they will be welcoming a Real Valladolid outfit with the worst away record, losing all four of their La Liga fixtures on their travels.
The last two La Liga matches between these two sides have been won by Alaves, but this will represent their first meeting in the top flight of Spanish football since February 2021.
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Real Valladolid were promoted from the Segunda Division last season, with the White and Violets back in the top flight after a one-year absence following their relegation in 2022-23.
Paulo Pezzolano's side have found it difficult in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, only picking up five points from their first nine matches, which has left them in 19th spot in the table.
The promoted outfit have a record of one win, two draws and six losses in the league this season, while they have the worst defensive record with 19 conceded, in addition to the joint-worst offensive record, having only scored five times.
Real Valladolid picked up a welcome point at home to Real Sociedad on September 21, but they have lost their last three in Spain's top flight to Sevilla, Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano.
The White and Violets will host Villarreal in their final league game of the month, while their Copa del Rey journey for the 2024-25 campaign will begin away to Astur on October 29.
Team News
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Alaves have not reported any injury concerns ahead of Friday's contest, so it is possible that head coach Garcia will have a full squad to choose from against Real Valladolid.
The manager is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the three-goal loss to Barcelona last time out, but there could be a change in the final third of the field, with Kike Garcia potentially replacing Toni Martinez.
Carlos Vicente has come up with two goals from a wide position this season, and the 25-year-old will again be in the XI, while Stoichkov should continue in the number 10 position for the home side.
As for Real Valladolid, Cesar de la Hoz is out, while Javi Sanchez and Cenk Ozkacar remain major doubts due to foot and hamstring issues respectively, with the pair facing late fitness tests ahead of the contest.
Lucas Rosa picked up a milestone yellow card in the clash with Rayo Vallecano last time out, meanwhile, so there will have to be a change at left-back for the visitors on Friday night.
Raul Moro is the team's leading goalscorer in the league this season with two, and the 21-year-old is expected to return to the starting side against Alaves, potentially taking the place of Darwin Machis.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Mourino, Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco; Vicente, Stoichkov, Rebbach; Kike Garcia
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Hein; Perez, Bah, Torres, Chasco; Martin, Comert, Amallah; Ndiaye, Latasa, Moro
We say: Alaves 2-1 Real Valladolid
Alaves have already scored 11 times in the league this season, and Real Valladolid have conceded plenty. There should be goals on Friday, and we are expecting an entertaining affair, with Alaves likely to have enough to return to winning ways against a Real Valladolid outfit that have struggled on their travels this term.
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