Alavés Vs Valencia

Valencia continue their push for European football when they travel to the Estadio de Mendizorroza to take on Alaves in a crucial midweek La Liga clash on Wednesday. The stakes are high on both ends of the table: while the visitors aim to climb into continental contention, Alaves are still embroiled in a tense fight for survival, sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone with just a single point separating them from the bottom three.

With three fixtures remaining, every match carries significant weight, and this encounter could have lasting implications for both teams’ campaigns. For Alaves, a slip-up at this stage could see them slide into the bottom three, while for Valencia, even the slightest misstep might put a dent in their European hopes.

Alaves find themselves walking a tightrope near the edge of the drop zone, their survival hopes hanging in the balance. Their season so far has been defined by inconsistency, with a record of eight wins, 11 draws, and 16 defeats across 35 matches. Under Eduardo Coudet, they have tried to shore up defensively and grind out results, though the margins have often been slim.

Before their weekend defeat, Alaves were enjoying a modest upturn in form. They had gone three games unbeaten, starting with a gutsy draw against Sevilla, followed by a narrow 1-0 triumph over Real Sociedad, and then another hard-fought point against Atletico Madrid. That run suggested they had found some resilience, but it came to a halt against Athletic Bilbao in a derby that saw them fall short of expectations. The loss left them just a single point clear of 18th-placed Leganes and only three points ahead of Las Palmas, emphasizing how precarious their position remains.

Looking at their remaining schedule, Alaves must prepare to face Valencia, Real Valladolid, and Osasuna—none of whom are pushovers. Every point from here on out could be the difference between another season in La Liga or a devastating return to the Segunda Division.

Coudet will likely be concerned by his team’s ongoing struggles in front of goal. Alaves have not scored more than once in any of their last 12 league matches—a run that dates back to October when they managed to put two past Real Valladolid in a losing effort. That kind of bluntness in attack can be fatal during a relegation battle, particularly when paired with defensive lapses.

However, there are signs of encouragement at home. At Mendizorroza, they have shown themselves to be a stubborn unit. In their last 12 top-flight matches on home soil, Alaves have conceded more than once on only one occasion. This defensive solidity has been backed by three clean sheets in their last five home games, giving them reason to believe they can frustrate Valencia and pick up a crucial result.

History, too, offers a degree of optimism. Alaves have avoided defeat in their last five home league meetings with Valencia, including back-to-back victories in the most recent encounters in Vitoria. That record, combined with their ability to stay compact and organized at home, could be the foundation they need to stave off relegation.

While Alaves battle to avoid the drop, Valencia have their eyes firmly fixed on Europe. The story of their season has taken a dramatic turn since Carlos Corberan stepped into the dugout. Appointed in December following Ruben Baraja’s departure, Corberan inherited a team that had sunk to 19th in the standings and was four points adrift of safety. With just two wins from 17 matches at the time, relegation looked a very real possibility.

But since then, Valencia have undergone a remarkable transformation. Corberan has reinvigorated the squad, fostering belief and extracting consistent performances from a side that had previously looked lost. Under his guidance, they have recorded nine wins, six draws, and only three defeats in 18 league matches—a run that has catapulted them up the table and put them within touching distance of European qualification.

Valencia are currently riding a wave of momentum. Unbeaten in 10 matches since a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on February 22, Los Che have found rhythm at the right time. Their recent outings have been particularly impressive, with back-to-back wins boosting morale and positioning them just two points behind the Conference League qualification spot.

In their penultimate match, Valencia edged Las Palmas in a 3-2 thriller, showcasing their attacking flair with three goals that exposed the vulnerabilities of their opponents. That performance was followed by a dominant 3-0 home win over Getafe on Saturday, a result that not only underlined their attacking threat but also served as a statement of intent. Pepelu and Hugo Duro both converted penalties, while Diego Lopez chipped in with a first-half goal to put the contest to bed early.

That victory over Getafe marked their fourth win in five home matches and exemplified the transformation Corberan has overseen. No longer the toothless side they were at the start of the campaign, Valencia are now dynamic, organized, and hungry—traits that have brought them to within four points of seventh-placed Celta Vigo and kept them in the race for a Europa League berth.

Now, they turn their attention to a trip to Mendizorroza, a venue that has proved difficult in recent years. Valencia have not beaten Alaves away in La Liga since October 2017, and their last victory over them in any league setting came in August 2021, when they ran out 3-0 winners at Mestalla. If they are to keep their European dream alive, they will need to break that pattern and come away with all three points.

From a tactical standpoint, Valencia’s recent success has been underpinned by a well-balanced approach. Corberan has managed to blend defensive discipline with attacking verve, a combination that has turned the side into one of the most well-rounded outfits in the division since the turn of the year. Pepelu’s influence in midfield has been crucial, offering both control and creativity, while Hugo Duro has been clinical in front of goal.

Diego Lopez, too, has emerged as a key contributor, adding energy and technical skill in the final third. His goal against Getafe was a reward for a run of industrious performances. Meanwhile, the backline—once porous and lacking cohesion—has tightened significantly, with more structured pressing and positional awareness.

Alaves will need to be wary of Valencia’s ability to strike early. In their recent matches, Los Che have shown a tendency to come out of the blocks quickly, often asserting control in the first half and forcing opponents to chase the game. That could pose a serious challenge for an Alaves side that has struggled to create clear-cut chances and often depends on narrow margins to collect points.

Still, Mendizorroza has been something of a fortress when it comes to fixtures against Valencia, and Coudet will be urging his side to draw strength from that history. With their survival on the line, Alaves will likely adopt a conservative approach, looking to frustrate and counter when opportunities arise. Players like Samu Omorodion and Carlos Vicente will need to step up, while the defensive unit—anchored by the likes of Abdelkabir Abqar—must remain disciplined and focused throughout.

The pressure will be immense. For Alaves, failure to take points at home could set off alarm bells heading into the final two matches. For Valencia, dropping points would be a major setback in a fiercely contested battle for European places.

Ultimately, this clash represents more than just three points. It’s a collision between ambition and desperation, between a team clawing its way out of the bottom and another striving to rejoin the continental elite. Whether Valencia can extend their unbeaten streak and finally win in Vitoria, or whether Alaves can once again use home advantage to steer clear of the relegation zone, remains to be seen. But what is certain is that both sides will leave everything on the pitch as they chase their respective goals in the decisive final stretch of the campaign.