Villarreal Vs Alavés

Villarreal will be aiming to secure a third consecutive win across all competitions when they take on Deportivo Alavés in La Liga this Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Submarine currently holds a solid fourth-place position in the standings with 21 points from their 11 matches this season, while Alavés sits in 14th place with 13 points after 12 games. Both teams enter this match with distinct goals and challenges, as Villarreal seeks to build momentum for a potential top-three finish, and Alavés looks to solidify its position in Spain's top flight.

Villarreal's season thus far has shown consistency, as they’ve secured six wins, three draws, and only two losses in their 11 league outings. This form has kept them well within reach of the top spots in La Liga, standing just three points behind second-placed Real Madrid. Their attacking prowess has been noteworthy as well, placing them among the most dangerous offenses in La Liga alongside giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Villarreal has only been bested by two teams this season—Barcelona and Real Madrid—and the Yellow Submarine will likely be eyeing a push for a top-three finish, improving on last season's eighth-place result. However, to climb higher in the standings, Villarreal will need to tighten up defensively. Marcelino's side has conceded 19 goals in just 11 games, revealing a vulnerability at the back that has been exploited by opponents. Nevertheless, Villarreal’s attacking capabilities have compensated for some defensive lapses, scoring 20 goals so far, positioning them fourth in La Liga's goal-scoring rankings, just behind Madrid and Barcelona.

As they head into the weekend, Villarreal is riding on the momentum of recent victories, having defeated Real Valladolid in La Liga and Poblense in the Copa del Rey in October. The Yellow Submarine has only lost one of their last six matches across all competitions, underscoring their positive form and bolstering their confidence going into this encounter with Alavés. Villarreal’s recent La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano was postponed due to severe flash flooding in Spain, leaving them with a game in hand compared to most teams in the division.

Alavés, meanwhile, is hoping to maintain its place in La Liga after successfully finishing 10th in the previous season. With a solid foundation built in their first season back in the top tier, Alavés appears prepared for another campaign aimed at remaining in the Spanish top flight. They have faced challenges on the road this season, losing five of their six away games in La Liga, and will need to overcome these struggles to stand a chance against Villarreal, a team that has historically been more comfortable playing away than at home in the 2024-25 season.

Key lineup changes are anticipated for both sides as they approach the match. Villarreal is expected to see Rodrygo return to the starting eleven after appearing off the bench in the previous game, while Eduardo Camavinga will likely step in due to Tchouameni’s absence this weekend. Alavés, on the other hand, may make limited adjustments to their lineup. Their head coach, Jagoba Arrasate, is likely to maintain consistency, potentially choosing to retain much of the squad that triumphed over Mallorca 1-0 in their last La Liga outing.

In the final third, Alavés will likely rely on the striking prowess of Ante Budimir, who is expected to play through the midfield and could provide the Basque side with a strong offensive edge. Budimir, who scored 17 goals last season, has already netted six goals this season and will be crucial to Alavés’ efforts to break Villarreal’s defense. He’s anticipated to be supported by Ruben Pena and Bryan Zaragoza, adding further firepower in the attacking lineup.

Alavés’ recent victories should boost their confidence as they enter this match. They clinched a narrow 1-0 win over Compostela in the Copa del Rey first round on October 29, followed by another 1-0 victory against Mallorca in La Liga. However, their away form remains a concern, as they have struggled significantly in league matches outside their home stadium. Despite these away challenges, Alavés can find some solace in their head-to-head record against Villarreal, having lost only one of their last five encounters and winning twice. The two teams’ league matches last season ended in a 1-1 draw, underscoring the competitive nature of this fixture.

For Villarreal, Ayoze Perez, who recently returned from a muscle injury, is expected to start on Saturday. He has made an impressive comeback, scoring a hat-trick against Poblense in the Copa del Rey, bringing his tally to 10 goals in nine games this season. His presence in the attacking lineup, likely alongside Thierno Barry, adds another layer of offensive threat for Villarreal. This could be a crucial component as they aim to exploit Alavés’ weaknesses, particularly on the road.

However, Villarreal will be mindful of some of Alavés’ injury setbacks. Hugo Novoa and Carlos Benavidez are sidelined, with the latter having been substituted out in their last victory over Mallorca. As a result, Alavés might turn to Ander Guevara to step into Benavidez’s position in the midfield, while Kike Garcia is expected to retain his role through the center. This consistency in personnel could give Alavés a more stable foundation, which will be essential as they face Villarreal’s aggressive playstyle.

While Villarreal's attacking stats are impressive, they will need to make adjustments in their defensive tactics. Despite scoring frequently, they have struggled to keep clean sheets this season, often conceding early in matches, which has put them on the back foot. Addressing this will be a top priority for Marcelino, as a solid defensive display could be the key to securing all three points against Alavés.

Ultimately, this matchup between Villarreal and Alavés promises an engaging spectacle of attacking intent and tactical strategy. Both teams bring unique strengths and challenges, from Villarreal's attacking firepower to Alavés’ resilience and determination to stay clear of relegation. With Villarreal looking to consolidate their position among the league’s elite, a victory over Alavés would be crucial in strengthening their campaign. Meanwhile, Alavés will view this as an opportunity to gain a much-needed boost, particularly in their quest to improve their away record and add points that could prove vital for survival in La Liga.