Alaves vs Barcelona
22 January 2000hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: Evens odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 20 January
It is unfamiliar seeing Barcelona sitting in sixth at this stage of the season but three points here would keep them in the hunt for Champions League qualification as Alaves look to improve their survival hopes.
Table of Contents
Alaves Preview – Can Alaves find what would be a first win since the start of November?
Alaves come into this game sitting third bottom in what is shaping up to be a real scrap to stay in La Liga. They are three points from safety and whilst certainly being in touch with the teams above them, are on a winless run which will be the biggest concern. The experienced coach Mendilibar was brought in last month to be the catalyst which sees them stay up. He is used to competing at the bottom end of La Liga with roles previously at Osasuna, Eibar and Levante.
So far though, it has not had any real impact. Alaves continue to look for their first win in the league since the beginning of November. That was against bottom club Levante, winning 2-1 at home.
Their can be some confidence from some of their recent performances and results. They have drawn with both Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao since the turn of the year, both of those games at home. They’ve lost just one of their last six at their own stadium now. They did suffer a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Betis last time out, however.
A key issue for them is their lack of goals. Alaves are the lowest scorers in La Liga with 16. Joselu is responsible for 10 of those and the veteran is on double figures for league goals in a third straight season.
Barcelona Preview – Will Barca bounce back to winning ways following back to back cup defeats?
Like their opponents, Barcelona are finding out that changing the manager does not necessarily mean a change in fortunes. Xavi was brought in during November to replace Ronald Koeman but it continues to be an inconsistent campaign on the whole. Defeat in midweek away to Athletic Bilbao sees them exit the Copa del Rey – a competition they won last season. This comes on the back of another defeat to Real Madrid, this time in the Spanish Super Cup.
In terms of La Liga, they are sixth and a point off fourth place Atletico Madrid. They are one of half a dozen clubs chasing what looks like being just one place with the top three pulling clear.
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On a more encouraging note, Barca have lost just one of their last 10 games in La Liga but they continue to draw more games than they should be. Half of those matches have ended with just a point to show for their efforts.
January signing Fernan Torres also got his first goal (in the defeat in Bilbao) and the return to fitness for Pedri is another shot in the arm as Xavi looks to put a winning run together.
Alaves vs Barcelona Betting Advice
The two teams need points for very different reasons and both will feel they haven[‘t done that often enough this season. It was a share of the points when they met at the Nou Camp earlier in the campaign – that match ending in a 1-1 draw. The clubs have changed coaches since then, of course.
It tends to be a fixture which produces goals with 11 of the last 15 seeing three or more goals. This could be a cagier affair, however, with eight of Alaves’ 11 home games going under 2.5 goals this term.
Key Facts – Alaves vs Barcelona Betting Tip
- Alaves have not won in their last nine games, losing five of them
- Barcelona could move into the top four with a win and other results going their way
- 11 of the last 15 meetings between the two have had three or more goals scored in them
It is the latter of those two trends I’m keen to keep on the right side of. Barcelona don’t carry the same threat as they did and with Alaves showing improvement in their defence at home, I’m happy to back under 2.5 goals.
Best Betting Odds for Alaves vs Barcelona
