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Sparks will fly as Deportivo Alaves and Villarreal lock horns in the third round of La Liga at Estadio de Mendizorroza on Friday.
The visitors have had a slow start to their campaign and will set their sights on earning their first win.
Alaves, on the other hand, will look to extend their unbeaten run.
Read our Alaves vs Villarreal prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Alaves vs Villarreal key stats
- Deportivo Alaves have no losses in their last six matches across all competitions.
- The hosts opened the scoring in eight of their last 10 outings.
- Eight of the last 10 H2Hs featured goals at both ends.
Alaves vs Villarreal preview: Can the hosts hold their own?
Alaves vs Villarreal — Tale of the Tape
| Alaves | vs | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 9th |
| 4 | Points | 2 |
| 4 | Goals For | 4 |
| 1 | Goals Against | 4 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Deportivo Alaves were able to salvage a point in their clash with Rayo Vallecano last Thursday, thanks to Mariano Diaz's late equaliser.
The Basque side have had an impressive start to their La Liga campaign, earning four points from a possible six.
Quique Sanchez Flores's troops are brimming with confidence ahead of this skirmish, having won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
The former Valencia and Atletico Madrid gaffer has no new injury or suspension worries this weekend, although long-term absentee Facundo Garces remains unavailable, with the defender still enduring an ongoing FIFA-imposed disciplinary suspension.
Mariano Diaz has been the game-changer for the hosts this season. Despite coming off the bench in their first two games, the former Real Madrid forward has been directly involved in all four of the Basque side's goals so far.
Unlike their opponents, Villarreal are still hunting for their first win of the campaign, having played out identical 2-2 draws in their first two matches.
Interestingly, the Valencia-based side will go on the road for the third consecutive time. They have not won their last five top-flight fixtures away from home.
Left-back Sergi Cardona and forward Gerard Moreno are dealing with minor physical overloads and will continue to feature from the bench.
With a clean bill of health, head coach Inigo Perez will have the luxury of choosing his best starting XI as the Yellow Submarine aim for their first victory.
Recent meetings between these outfits have not been one-sided, as both teams have two wins apiece with three draws between them in the last seven H2Hs. However, Villarreal have no wins in their last five trips to this stadium (D2, L3).
Alaves vs Villarreal form guide & betting tips
| Alaves | vs | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
W
D
|
La Liga Form |
D
D
|
| 4 | Points | 2 |
| 3rd | Form Table | 9th |
| 4 | Goals For | 4 |
| 1 | Goals Against | 4 |
W
W
W
W
D
|
Form (All Comps) |
L
W
W
D
D
|
Whispers Predicts: Alaves 1-1 Villarreal
At 27/20 (2.35), Villarreal are considered favourites by the bookmakers ahead of this skirmish.
Four of the visiting team's last five away league games ended in stalemates, and considering the spoils were shared in three of the last six H2Hs, we are confident that these teams will be on level terms at the end of this fixture.
Moreover, six of Villarreal's last seven trips to this stadium produced goals at both ends, and this can be backed at 4/6 (1.67).
We also fancy a 1-1 correct score at 11/2 (6.50). This was the scoreline in three of the last six skirmishes between these outfits.
> Under 2.5 total goals at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Draw at 13/5 (3.60) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS – Yes at 13/4 (4.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-1 at 11/2 (6.50) | Likelihood: Outsider