Real Valladolid Vs Alaves

Alaves are on the verge of confirming their La Liga survival as they prepare to visit Estadio Jose Zorrilla for a crucial Sunday encounter against already relegated Real Valladolid.

As the penultimate round of the La Liga campaign approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Alaves. Occupying 17th place in the standings, they hold their fate in their own hands and could secure another season in Spain’s top flight with a positive result. Meanwhile, their hosts, Real Valladolid, have long seen their hopes of survival extinguished and sit anchored at the bottom of the table.

It has been a deeply forgettable return to La Liga for Real Valladolid. Following their promotion last season, they have found the step up in competition overwhelming. With just four wins, four draws, and a staggering 28 defeats from 36 matches, they have accumulated only 16 points all season and are well adrift of safety. Their relegation was confirmed weeks ago, and they now linger 16 points behind 19th-placed Las Palmas.

Their current form reflects the depths to which their campaign has sunk. Since recording their last league win back in January against Real Betis, Valladolid have gone 17 matches without tasting victory, collecting only a single point during that dire stretch. Tuesday's narrow 1-0 defeat to Girona was their tenth consecutive league loss, with Cristhian Stuani’s 80th-minute goal proving decisive. That result pushed them one step closer to matching an unwanted La Liga record: the longest losing run in the competition’s history, currently held by the 1959-60 Las Palmas team, who lost 11 consecutive matches.

Despite their dismal situation, Valladolid still have a minor piece of history within reach. A win on Sunday would see them complete a rare league double over Alaves, having already won the reverse fixture 3-2 in October. That would mark just the second time they have managed such a feat against the Basque club.

In stark contrast, Alaves arrive with a sense of cautious optimism. The team has found some late-season resilience, suffering just one defeat in their last five outings while picking up two wins and two draws. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home win over Valencia on Wednesday, a match decided by Joan Jordan’s confident penalty after the referee opted not to overturn his initial decision upon a VAR review of Giorgi Mamardashvili's challenge on Santiago Mourino.

That win gave Alaves a significant boost in their battle to stay up. With 37 points, they now sit four points clear of 18th-placed Leganes, with only two matches left to play. Their final fixtures against Valladolid and Osasuna offer a golden opportunity to secure safety without having to rely on other results. A win on Sunday would mathematically guarantee their La Liga status for another season. Even a draw or a loss might be sufficient, depending on how Leganes fare in their clash with Las Palmas.

Eduardo Coudet’s side hasn’t been particularly prolific away from home, but they’ve shown enough discipline to avoid defeat in five of their last six away games. In that span, they’ve managed four draws and a single loss, which came at the hands of Athletic Bilbao. That level of resilience could be crucial as they head to Valladolid, desperate to avoid any late drama in the relegation fight.

Alaves can also take encouragement from their recent record at Estadio Jose Zorrilla. They have won four of their last five top-flight away meetings against Valladolid, including a 2-0 victory during their last visit in October 2020. That kind of historical advantage, combined with their improved form and Valladolid’s continued struggles, positions the visitors as strong contenders for three pivotal points.

While Alaves appear to have the upper hand, they will need to remain focused and professional. Matches like these, with one team fighting for their lives and the other already relegated, often carry unpredictable narratives. Valladolid may play with more freedom and less pressure, knowing their fate is sealed, while Alaves must manage their nerves and avoid costly mistakes.

The match represents a clash of contrasting trajectories. Real Valladolid have endured a campaign to forget, and their demotion has been a prolonged inevitability. Their inability to adapt to La Liga's demands has been exposed in both attack and defense, and with nothing to play for but pride, their motivation will be tested.

For Alaves, the incentive couldn’t be clearer. Survival in La Liga would cap off a season of highs and lows, rewarding a squad that has shown grit when it mattered most. Sunday’s fixture gives them a chance to take control of their destiny and ensure that their fans can look forward to another year at Spain’s top table.

In all likelihood, Valladolid will seek to restore some dignity by attempting to halt their horrific losing streak and sign off their home campaign with a positive performance. However, given the context and momentum, it is Alaves who will approach the match with greater purpose and belief. With history, form, and stakes all leaning in their favor, they will be determined not to let the opportunity slip away.

As kickoff nears, all eyes will be on Estadio Jose Zorrilla. Alaves stand one step away from safety, while Valladolid brace for a long offseason of rebuilding. It is a fixture rich with narrative, and though the hosts are already down, they could yet have a say in shaping the destiny of their visitors.