Alaves Vs Girona

Girona will aim to secure back-to-back victories in La Liga when they travel to face Alaves on Saturday afternoon. The visitors head into the match fresh from an impressive 3-0 triumph over Real Valladolid just before the winter break, which propelled them into eighth place in the league standings. Meanwhile, Alaves find themselves in 16th position after a string of draws, their most recent being a 1-1 stalemate against Valencia on December 22. 

Alaves have been enduring a challenging period in Spain's top division. The team has drawn their last four league outings, sharing the spoils with Leganes, Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao, and Valencia. Their most recent defeat came against title contenders Atletico Madrid on November 23. This poor run of results highlights their struggle for form in recent months. In fact, Alaves have managed just one victory in their last 12 La Liga matches—a narrow 1-0 win over Mallorca at the start of November. That solitary triumph remains their only league success since November, and their inability to convert matches into wins has dragged them down to 16th place in the standings. 

With 17 points from 18 matches, Alaves’ record comprises four wins, five draws, and nine losses. They currently sit just two points above the relegation zone, and this precarious position has sparked concerns about their ability to maintain their status in La Liga. Head coach Eduardo Coudet will undoubtedly feel the pressure as his team struggles to rediscover the form that saw them secure a solid 10th-place finish last season. Their 2023-24 campaign marked a triumphant return to the top flight, but this term has proven far more challenging. Alaves now face the very real possibility of being drawn into a relegation battle unless they can arrest their slump and start picking up crucial points.

As Alaves attempt to steer clear of the relegation zone, Girona arrive with renewed confidence following their emphatic win over Real Valladolid. That victory was particularly significant for the Catalan side, as it ended a disappointing run of four consecutive losses across all competitions. It also marked their first La Liga victory since November 23, providing a much-needed morale boost. Girona will hope to carry that momentum into their upcoming fixtures, starting with Saturday's clash against Alaves.

Girona’s recent history in La Liga has been nothing short of remarkable. Their 2023-24 season was a landmark campaign, as they finished in third place and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. However, replicating that success has proven to be a daunting challenge. In the current La Liga season, Girona have struggled to maintain consistency, managing just one win in their six Champions League group-stage matches. Their European adventure has exposed the team to a new level of competition, and balancing domestic and continental commitments has undoubtedly tested their squad depth.

Moreover, Girona’s early exit from the Copa del Rey means that their immediate focus is solely on La Liga. With their next two fixtures being against Alaves and Sevilla, the Catalan side has an opportunity to strengthen their position in the league before turning their attention to a critical Champions League encounter against AC Milan in Italy. This tight schedule underscores the importance of securing points in their domestic matches to build momentum and confidence for their European challenge.

Currently, Girona occupy eighth place in the La Liga table, having accumulated 25 points from 18 matches. This tally puts them level with seventh-placed Real Sociedad and just five points adrift of fifth-placed Villarreal. While their league standing is respectable, Girona’s performances this season have fallen short of the lofty standards they set during their historic 2023-24 campaign. Consistency has been their primary issue, as evidenced by their mixed results in both domestic and European competitions. 

When Girona and Alaves last faced each other in La Liga, they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture last season. However, Girona triumphed convincingly in their home encounter, securing a 3-0 win against Alaves. The Catalan outfit will be eager to replicate that dominant performance on Saturday as they look to solidify their position in the upper half of the table.

For Alaves, the challenge will be to end their winless streak and climb away from the danger zone. Their recent inability to turn draws into victories has been a source of frustration, and head coach Eduardo Coudet will be determined to inspire a turnaround in fortunes. Despite their struggles, Alaves have shown resilience in grinding out results against strong opposition, as evidenced by their draws against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia. However, they will need more than just resilience to overcome a Girona side brimming with confidence after their latest win.

Girona, under the guidance of head coach Michel, will approach this fixture with a clear plan to exploit Alaves’ vulnerabilities. Their attacking prowess was on full display in their win over Real Valladolid, where they created numerous scoring opportunities and demonstrated clinical finishing. Maintaining that level of performance will be key if they are to secure a positive result against Alaves. Michel will likely emphasize the importance of defensive solidity, as Girona have occasionally been exposed at the back, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Alaves, on the other hand, will need to address their lack of creativity in the final third. Scoring goals has been a persistent issue for the team this season, and breaking down Girona’s defense will require a marked improvement in their attacking play. The home crowd at Mendizorroza Stadium will play a crucial role in motivating the players, and Alaves will hope to harness that support to put in a spirited performance.

The stakes are high for both teams heading into this match. For Girona, a victory would further cement their position in the race for European qualification, while Alaves are desperate to avoid being dragged deeper into the relegation battle. With contrasting objectives and recent form, this clash promises to be an intriguing encounter. Girona’s confidence and attacking flair will be tested against Alaves’ resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting contest in La Liga.