Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Marking their respective returns from October’s international break on Friday night, Alaves will welcome Real Valladolid to the Mendizorroza.
Alaves
Starting with the hosts, while Alaves might have sprung a real La Liga upset last season as they clinched a top-half finish among Spain’s elite, the Babazorros have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Heading into October’s international break in the midst of a major rut, Luis Garcia Plaza is demanding a crucial boost on Friday night. However, last seen a fortnight ago slumping to a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Barcelona, the Basque-based outfit lost each of their final three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 8-2. Likewise, opening October with a toothless 2-0 loss away at Getafe, the former Mallorca boss has also seen his squad put just three points on the board from any of their previous five top-flight outings. Tumbling down the La Liga table, Plaza will have a headache over his side’s extended struggles at the back. Including an action-packed 3-2 loss against Espanyol on September 14th, Friday’s hosts have conceded 12 goals in their last five outings.
Team News
While Serbian international Aleksandar Sedlar might have missed out against Barcelona prior to September’s international break, the 32-year-old is expected to be a part of Alaves’ squad here. Likewise, despite dealing with a minor knock earlier in the month, former Real Sociedad midfielder Jon Guridi could make a full return on Friday night.
Notching a pair of La Liga strikes after arriving from Portuguese giants Porto over the summer, one-time West Ham youngster Toni Martinez will lead Alaves’ charge. Despite featuring for Morocco over the past week, Plaza’s side remain hopeful that Abdel Abqar will be able to start at the heart of their defence.
Real Valladolid
As for the visitors, while Real Valladolid might have secured a La Liga return for this season, the Pucela have an almighty job on their hands this time around. Pencilled in as a standout relegation candidate this time around, Paulo Pezzolano’s men mark their return from October’s international break scrapping it out in the drop zone. Suffering a dramatic late collapse on home soil prior to the fortnight interval as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Rayo Vallecano, the former Cruzeiro boss is desperately seeking some kind of boost. Signing off August with an infamous 7-0 drumming at the hands of Barcelona, Friday’s guests have lost each of their previous three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 6-3. Likewise, it should also be highlighted that Valladolid have registered just a pair of points from any of their last eight showdowns against top-flight opposition.
Team News
All dealing with respective injury issues prior to October’s international break, Real Valladolid are once again sweating over the fitness of Cenk Ozkacar, Javi Sanchez and Anuar Tuhami on Friday night. Completing a year-long move from Premier League giants Arsenal, Estonian shot-stopper Karl Hein will start between the sticks this weekend.
Arriving from Real Madrid on a season-long loan switch over the summer, Mario Martin will start at the heart of Valladolid’s midfield here. Completing a permanent move from Lazio and notching a pair of La Liga strikes this season, 21-year-old Raul Moro could be handed a full recall.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Alaves and Real Valladolid last met back in January 2023 for a Copa del Rey showdown, Friday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory at the Mendizorroza.
- In fact, Alaves have won each of their previous three meetings against Valladolid by an aggregate score of 4-0.
- However, the Babazorros lost four of their previous five La Liga appearances prior to October’s international break.
- Friday’s guests have collected just two points from any of their previous eight La Liga appearances.
- Already conceding 19 La Liga strikes so far this season, Real Valladolid currently hold the worst defensive tally among Spain’s elite.
Conclusion
Two sides who mark their respective returns from October’s international break seeking a much-needed boost, we could be set for a nail-biting affair on Friday night. With both camps showing some glaring defensive struggles prior to October’s fortnight interval, chances could fall at both ends of the pitch. With Valladolid already shipping 19 top-flight strikes so far this season and holding the worst defensive tally among Spain’s elite, it should also be noted that Alaves lost each of their final three La Liga showdowns by an aggregate score of 8-2.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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