Match Preview: The 9th round of features a clash between Alaves and Valencia on October 20th at the Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This preview offers a prediction, betting insights, and key statistics for the Alaves vs Valencia encounter.

Alaves

Recent Form: Towards the end of September, Alaves had a three-match winless streak in the league (one draw, two losses). However, they snapped this run in the last round with a crucial victory over Elche. Notably, the Basques handed their opponent their first defeat of the season. While the club couldn’t keep a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive match, this win propelled them to 10th in the standings. It’s worth highlighting that Eduardo Coudet’s side generally stands among the most defensively reliable teams in , having conceded only eight goals in total – a record matched by only three other clubs. 

• Alaves Statistics: The Basques have covered the (+1.5) handicap in their last 17 matches.
• Goal Tendency: Fewer than 3 goals (Under 2.5) have been scored in 15 of the club’s last 18 league games.
• Home Scoring Record: Both teams have scored in Alaves’ last 5 home matches in .

Alaves’ Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)*

Expected Lineup: Antonio Sivera – Youcef Enríquez, Jon Pacheco, Nahuel Tenaglia, Jonny – Antonio Blanco, Pablo Ibañez – Abderrahman Rebbach, Lucas Boyé, Kaleb – Toni Martínez. Team News: Defender Facundo Garcés received a lengthy suspension for document forgery. Striker Mariano Díaz’s participation in the match remains doubtful.

Valencia

Current Struggles: Valencia has been plagued by inconsistency this season, losing approximately half of their matches. Before the international break, the team suffered a defeat against Girona, who had yet to secure a single victory in the current championship campaign at that time. Carlos Corberán’s men have collected only three points in just two of their last eight league fixtures. The ‘Los Che’ are currently on a three-match winless run in (one draw, two losses), which has seen them drop to 15th place in the table. Their performance is significantly impacted by frequent defensive errors; they have conceded 14 goals in the Primera División, with only Girona (17 goals) having a worse record after eight rounds. 

• Valencia Goal Trend: At least two goals have been scored in Valencia’s last six league matches.
• Away Defensive Woes: The club has conceded in 18 consecutive away games.
• Away Scoring Output: Valencia has failed to score more than one goal in five of their last six away matches in the Primera División.

Valencia’s Predicted Starting XI (4-4-2)*

Expected Lineup: Julen Agirrezabala – Thierry Correia, César Tárrega, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jesús Vázquez – Diego López, Pepelu, Baptiste Santamaría, Luis Rioja – Lucas Beltrán, Arnaut Danjuma. Team News: Due to injuries, defender Mouctar Diakhaby and midfielders Filip Ugrinic and Largie Ramazani are unavailable. The participation of defender Dimitri Foulquier is still questionable.

Match Prediction: Alaves vs Valencia

Alaves’ Strengths: Alaves can be characterized as a solid mid-table team known for its resilience and tough-to-beat nature. In their last 11 matches, the team has suffered only three defeats, and Eduardo Coudet’s side failed to score in just two of those games. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Basques are particularly formidable, having avoided defeat in seven of their previous eight home league fixtures (four wins, three draws). The club’s home scoring streak in extends to six consecutive matches. Valencia’s Instability: In contrast, Valencia exhibits significant inconsistency. In , the team has managed to secure three points in only two of their last 11 games, with both victories occurring in home matches during this period. On the road, Carlos Corberán’s squad is currently on a six-match winless streak in the Primera División (two draws, four losses), and they have conceded goals in 18 consecutive away games. Head-to-Head and Final Pick: Furthermore, Alaves has remained unbeaten in their last five head-to-head encounters with Valencia in the championship, with four of those five matches resulting in an Alaves victory. Our prediction for this match is: Alaves to Win or Draw (1X) and Alaves to Score – Yes. Note: *For each team, the starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is indicated.