Round 11 of the 2025-26 La Liga season sees Alaves entertain the challenge of Espanyol at Estadio de Mendizorroza on Sunday evening.
The home side are currently just three points clear of the relegation zone heading into this weekend's affair, while their visitors are fifth in the standings after a fine start to the campaign.
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Alaves vs Espanyol prediction: Honours even in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Key stats
- Espanyol have won each of their last three matches across all competitions since going four games without a win between September 20 and October 5.
- The away side have opened the scoring in four of their most recent five affairs.
- Alaves have drawn blanks in three of their last five matches, although they did hit CD Getxo for seven in their most recent outing.
Correct score prediction: Alaves 1-1 Espanyol
Espanyol are the more in-form of the two sides and will fancy themselves to come out on top, but their record on the road this term has often left a lot to be desired.
Consequently, we can see Sunday's clash ending all square with both teams settling for a point apiece.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Alaves slightly favoured, but all outcomes possible
- HOME: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.1%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Alaves ran out emphatic winners in their midweek Copa del Rey involvement, but their La Liga form has been abysmal of late, with only one win from their last six matches.
Still, Eduardo Coudet's men have been given a 42.1% chance of securing maximum points on home turf, where they have lost just one of their last nine competitive games.
Despite winning their last three matches, Espanyol are slight underdogs for Sunday's clash with an away win currently priced at 11/5 (3.20) for a 31.3% win probability.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: One win in seven for Alaves
After suffering a 3-2 defeat in the first of last season's league encounters, Alaves looked set to come away with a point from the second clash back in February when Fernando Calero struck in the 86th minute.
That completed a league double for Espanyol, who have now won five of seven editions of this fixture since 2019 either side of a 1-0 loss three years ago.
Spain La Liga 22/02/25
CD Alaves
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 14/09/24
Espanyol
CD Alaves
Spain La Liga 11/05/22
CD Alaves
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 22/09/21
Espanyol
CD Alaves
Spain La Liga 13/06/20
Espanyol
CD Alaves
Alaves preview: Jon Pacheco back on the sidelines
Before his move to Alaves in the summer, Pacheco had a spell out of action earlier this year with a muscle problem and is back on the treatment table, albeit with a shoulder problem this time around.
The Spaniard is one of two guaranteed absentees for the home side, alongside Facundo Garces, who is suspended.
Predicted lineup: Sivera(GK), Yusi, Diarra, Teenaglia, Otto, Vicente, Ibanez, Blanco, Alenda, Boye & Martinez
Alaves' last five matches:
- Deportivo Getxo 0-7 Alaves (Copa del Rey)
- Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Alaves (LaLiga)
- Alaves 0-0 Valencia (LaLiga)
- Alaves 3-1 Elche (LaLiga)
- Mallorca 1-0 Alaves (LaLiga)
Scoring at least six more goals than any of his teammates, Puado led Espanyol in scoring on their return to La Liga last time out and would have expected to shoulder most of the attacking burden once again this term.
He netted twice across the first eight matches of the season before suffering a knee problem that has kept him out of the last three matches.
Predicted lineup: Dmitrovic(GK), Salinas, Cabrera, Riedel, Sanchez, Milla, Esposito, Lozano, Dolan, Pickel & Jaen
Espanyol's last five matches:
- Atletic Lleida 1-2 Espanyol (Copa del Rey)
- Espanyol 1-0 Elche (LaLiga)
- Real Oviedo 0-2 Espanyol (LaLiga)
- Espanyol 1-2 Betis (LaLiga)
- Girona 0-0 Espanyol (LaLiga)
Player to watch – Pere Milla
Milla managed just three league goals throughout last season but has already surpassed that tally in eight matches after finding the back of the net in his last away appearance against Real Oviedo.
The 33-year-old currently leads his side in scoring with four goals, two more than Carlos Romero, Kike Garcia and Javi Puado.
Having been given a breather in Espanyol's cup victory, Milla will be raring to go again this weekend against an opposing side he has netted four times across seven previous meetings.