Leganes Vs Alaves

Two teams fighting to avoid relegation in La Liga will face off in a crucial match on Saturday afternoon as Leganes host Alaves at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Both sides are languishing near the bottom of the table, with Leganes sitting in 17th place and Alaves in 19th, making this encounter a high-stakes battle for survival. Leganes, known as El Lega, are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Valencia, while Alaves suffered a 1-0 loss to Getafe in their last outing. As a result, both teams will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and secure much-needed points in their quest to avoid the drop.

Leganes have been in poor form recently, losing their last three matches across all competitions, including back-to-back league defeats to Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. These results have seen them slip to 17th in the table, just one point above 18th-placed Valencia and two points ahead of Alaves. Under the management of Borja Jimenez, Leganes have struggled to find consistency this season, winning only five of their 23 league games, drawing eight, and losing 10. Their total of 23 points leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone, and they will need to improve their home form if they are to climb to safety. So far this campaign, Leganes have managed just 13 points from 11 home matches, a record that will need to be bolstered if they are to survive in La Liga.

Alaves, on the other hand, have also endured a difficult season. The reigning Segunda Division champions are aiming to secure back-to-back seasons in La Liga for the first time since 2020, but their current form suggests they are in serious danger of dropping back to the second tier. With five wins, six draws, and 12 defeats from 23 matches, Alaves have accumulated only 21 points, leaving them in 19th place and deep in the relegation mire. Their away form has been particularly concerning, with eight defeats in 12 league fixtures on the road. This weekend’s match against Leganes presents a golden opportunity for Alaves to secure a rare victory and close the gap on their rivals.

Historically, matches between Leganes and Alaves have been tightly contested affairs. The last four La Liga encounters between the two sides have ended in 1-1 draws, and five of their last six meetings in Spain’s top flight have resulted in shared points. Alaves have never beaten Leganes in La Liga, with seven of their nine top-flight clashes ending in draws and Leganes claiming two victories. This weekend’s match could provide Alaves with a chance to rewrite history, but they will need to overcome their poor form and mental block against Leganes to do so.

For Leganes, the match represents an opportunity to create some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone. Despite their recent struggles, they will take confidence from their solid record against Alaves and the fact that they are playing at home. However, their inability to convert draws into wins has been a recurring issue this season, and they will need to be more clinical if they are to secure all three points. Key players such as attacker Juan Cruz will need to step up and deliver a performance that can inspire their team to victory.

Alaves, meanwhile, will be looking to build on some positive moments from recent weeks. Despite their lowly position in the table, they showed signs of improvement towards the end of January, picking up four points from matches against Real Betis and Celta Vigo. They also put in a spirited performance in a narrow defeat to Barcelona at the start of February, demonstrating that they are capable of competing with stronger teams. However, their loss to Getafe in their last match was a significant setback, and they cannot afford to drop points against another relegation rival. With a crucial clash against Espanyol looming next weekend, Alaves will be desperate to build momentum and keep their survival hopes alive.

The stakes could not be higher for both teams. For Leganes, a win would provide a much-needed boost in confidence and help them pull away from the bottom three. For Alaves, victory would not only close the gap on their rivals but also give them a psychological edge in the relegation battle. Both managers, Borja Jimenez of Leganes and Eduardo Coudet of Alaves, will be under immense pressure to deliver a positive result, and their tactical decisions could prove decisive in what is likely to be a tightly contested match.

In terms of team news, Leganes will be hoping to have a full-strength squad available as they look to end their winless run. Alaves, meanwhile, will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in away matches, if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. The match could come down to which team can capitalize on their chances, as both sides have struggled to score goals consistently this season.

Ultimately, this weekend’s clash between Leganes and Alaves is a must-win game for both teams. With the relegation battle heating up, every point is crucial, and neither side can afford to lose ground. For Leganes, the focus will be on improving their home form and building on their historical advantage over Alaves. For Alaves, the challenge will be to overcome their poor away record and finally secure a victory against Leganes in La Liga. As the two teams prepare to lock horns, fans can expect a tense and hard-fought encounter that could have significant implications for the rest of the season.

In conclusion, the match between Leganes and Alaves is more than just a game; it is a battle for survival. Both teams have struggled for consistency this season, and their recent form suggests that this will be a closely contested affair. With so much at stake, the players will need to show character, determination, and quality to come out on top. Whether it is Leganes extending their unbeaten run against Alaves or Alaves finally breaking their duck, this match is sure to be a pivotal moment in the relegation battle. As the final whistle blows, one team will take a step closer to safety, while the other will be left staring at the prospect of dropping out of Spain’s top flight.