Alaves Vs Las Palmas

On Sunday, Deportivo Alaves will look to secure their second consecutive victory as they host Las Palmas at Mendizorroza in what promises to be an intriguing La Liga encounter. Las Palmas, still in search of their first win of the season, will be buoyed by their recent draw against Real Madrid and hope to turn their fortunes around on the road.

Alaves' Season So Far

Deportivo Alaves, coming off a solid season in La Liga, are aiming to replicate or surpass their previous campaign’s performance. In their return to the top flight last season, Alaves amassed 46 points from 38 games, finishing in 10th place and comfortably avoiding relegation. This was a commendable achievement for the Basque club, marking a successful return to the elite division.

The 2024-25 season, however, began with a mixed bag of results for Alaves. They suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Celta Vigo in their season opener. The loss was followed by a 0-0 stalemate at home against Real Betis, which hinted at the challenges they might face in their second consecutive La Liga campaign. These early results were a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the Spanish top flight.

Despite these initial setbacks, Alaves demonstrated resilience in their midweek fixture. Facing Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena, the team found themselves trailing after Brais Mendez’s early goal for Sociedad, which came just after Mikel Oyarzabal’s red card. Alaves capitalized on the numerical advantage with Asier Villalibre scoring from the penalty spot and Toni Martinez netting the decisive goal on his debut. This comeback victory was a significant morale booster and a testament to Alaves’ fighting spirit.

Mendizorroza has been a fortress for Alaves, with the team remaining unbeaten in their last five home league games. The club will look to extend this unbeaten streak against Las Palmas and continue their positive run.

Las Palmas' Struggles and Recent Performance

Las Palmas, under the new management of Luis Carrion, are still searching for their first win of the season. Carrion, who previously managed Real Oviedo, took over the reins from Garcia Pimienta ahead of the 2024-25 season. The transition has been challenging, as evidenced by Las Palmas' performance in their opening league fixtures. The Canary Islanders began their season with two draws and a loss. Their opening match ended in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla, followed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leganes. These results left Las Palmas struggling at the lower end of the table and in need of a victory to kickstart their campaign.

However, Las Palmas showed promise in their recent match against Real Madrid. In a thrilling encounter at their home ground, they managed to hold the reigning European champions to a 1-1 draw. Alberto Moleiro’s early goal gave Las Palmas a surprise lead, but Vinicius Junior’s penalty in the second half leveled the score. Despite a late goal from Viti being ruled out for offside, Las Palmas' performance was encouraging. Securing a draw against such formidable opponents was a notable achievement and provided a much-needed boost for the team.

Alaves and Las Palmas have had a competitive history, with recent encounters favoring the visitors. Las Palmas have remained unbeaten in their last four meetings with Alaves, with their most recent victory dating back to April 2018. This trend has created a psychological advantage for Las Palmas heading into Sunday’s match. For Alaves, reversing this head-to-head record is crucial. With their recent form showing signs of improvement, they will be eager to secure a victory and make a statement in their quest for a successful season.

Alaves' tactical approach under their current manager involves a balanced strategy between defense and attack. The team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes were evident in their recent win against Real Sociedad. Key players like Asier Villalibre and Toni Martinez, who both made significant contributions in their last match, will be pivotal. Martinez, in particular, will be looking to build on his debut goal and establish himself as a key offensive threat.Las Palmas will rely heavily on their attacking prowess to break down Alaves’ defense. Alberto Moleiro, who scored against Real Madrid, will be crucial in leading the charge. His ability to find space and create opportunities will be vital for Las Palmas. Additionally, the management of Luis Carrion will need to focus on tightening their defense to prevent Alaves from exploiting any weaknesses.

Sunday's match at Mendizorroza is set to be a crucial fixture for both Deportivo Alaves and Las Palmas. Alaves will be aiming to build on their recent victory and extend their unbeaten run at home, while Las Palmas will seek to capitalize on their encouraging performance against Real Madrid and secure their first league win of the season. The clash promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams having much to play for as they navigate the early stages of the La Liga season.